Comments on: BaliBuzz: Welcome to the REDD Zone: World’s Forests under Negotiation http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/2007/12/10/welcome-to-the-redd-zone-worlds-forests-under-negotiation/ Dispatches from the Youth Climate Movement Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:12:59 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Kartikeya http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/2007/12/10/welcome-to-the-redd-zone-worlds-forests-under-negotiation/#comment-58069 Kartikeya Tue, 11 Dec 2007 02:38:30 +0000 http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/2007/12/10/welcome-to-the-redd-zone-worlds-forests-under-negotiation/#comment-58069 The REDD discussion is heating up with big demonstrations this morning from the youth as well as a group advocating for indigenous communities' rights to forest land. I forgot to mention that there is some disagreement even amongst the developing countries regarding what REDD will do. For example, REDD may help countries like Indonesia make money and protect their forests, but for countries like Tanzania and India where forest protection is working well as is, they would not be able to claim any money under REDD. Secondly, industrialized nations, though in support of the REDD scheme see it as a threat to their "hard earned" CDM projects in developing countries that they invested in--energy infrastructure. Implementing REDD would flood the market with Carbon credits, some which cost more (infrastructure projects) than others (preservation of forests). Let us also remember that this is an old story that has resurfaced again because we may see some major decision regarding forests and emissions take place by the end of this week--it might be one of the FEW things that comes out of these discussions. Food for thought.... The REDD discussion is heating up with big demonstrations this morning from the youth as well as a group advocating for indigenous communities’ rights to forest land. I forgot to mention that there is some disagreement even amongst the developing countries regarding what REDD will do. For example, REDD may help countries like Indonesia make money and protect their forests, but for countries like Tanzania and India where forest protection is working well as is, they would not be able to claim any money under REDD. Secondly, industrialized nations, though in support of the REDD scheme see it as a threat to their “hard earned” CDM projects in developing countries that they invested in–energy infrastructure. Implementing REDD would flood the market with Carbon credits, some which cost more (infrastructure projects) than others (preservation of forests). Let us also remember that this is an old story that has resurfaced again because we may see some major decision regarding forests and emissions take place by the end of this week–it might be one of the FEW things that comes out of these discussions. Food for thought….

]]> By: angeline3 http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/2007/12/10/welcome-to-the-redd-zone-worlds-forests-under-negotiation/#comment-58059 angeline3 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 22:42:12 +0000 http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/2007/12/10/welcome-to-the-redd-zone-worlds-forests-under-negotiation/#comment-58059 I agree that both developed and developing nations need to do their part. And I wholeheartedly agree that "developed" nations should help developing nations (possibly by offering financial support) do their part. I also really support the strategy of preserving forests, but I am skeptical about haphazardly planting trees to offset emissions. I agree that both developed and developing nations need to do their part. And I wholeheartedly agree that “developed” nations should help developing nations (possibly by offering financial support) do their part.

I also really support the strategy of preserving forests, but I am skeptical about haphazardly planting trees to offset emissions.

]]> By: Phil Mitchell http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/2007/12/10/welcome-to-the-redd-zone-worlds-forests-under-negotiation/#comment-58049 Phil Mitchell Mon, 10 Dec 2007 17:24:23 +0000 http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/2007/12/10/welcome-to-the-redd-zone-worlds-forests-under-negotiation/#comment-58049 Amy, why view it as either/or? It's not about blame. 20% of global GHG emissions are from deforestation, which also happens to be one of the main drivers of the extinction crisis. Many studies have shown that preventing that deforestation is very affordable. Both for climate and for biodiversity we should do it -- and of course we *also* have to reduce emissions from fossil fuels. Both/and! Amy, why view it as either/or? It’s not about blame. 20% of global GHG emissions are from deforestation, which also happens to be one of the main drivers of the extinction crisis. Many studies have shown that preventing that deforestation is very affordable. Both for climate and for biodiversity we should do it — and of course we *also* have to reduce emissions from fossil fuels. Both/and!

]]> By: Amy Ortiz http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/2007/12/10/welcome-to-the-redd-zone-worlds-forests-under-negotiation/#comment-58047 Amy Ortiz Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:52:58 +0000 http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/2007/12/10/welcome-to-the-redd-zone-worlds-forests-under-negotiation/#comment-58047 I have misgivings about the efficacy of pursuing such a scheme, as well as how ethical it is. It seems to me that this shifts the blame for global warming from the developed nations who are releasing huge amounts of CO2 to the developing nations who are overall responsible for much fewer C02 emissions. In addition, multinational corporations based in industrialized countries are responsible for large amounts of forest degradation and conversion of rainforest to soybean and cattle ranching. This "solution" takes them out of the picture and again focuses blame and responsibility on the local and indigenous peoples. This scheme also completely ignores inequity withing global South countries, as money paid to a government cannot be guaranteed to reach the forest dwelling peoples who will be most impacted by these projects. As far as using the money for sustainable development projects, Integrated Conservation and Development Projects (ICPD's) have been implemented by conservation agencies operating in the developing world for some time, and overall they have been a complete failure. It is incredibly difficult to develop community based conservation projects that are effective. Overall, I see this as being a distraction from the real issues, the fact that industrialized nations, such as the U.S. are emitting completely disproportional amounts of greenhouse gases. Before we talk about what developing countries need to do, I believe that we need to talk about what kind of firm action industrialized nations will take. I have misgivings about the efficacy of pursuing such a scheme, as well as how ethical it is. It seems to me that this shifts the blame for global warming from the developed nations who are releasing huge amounts of CO2 to the developing nations who are overall responsible for much fewer C02 emissions.
In addition, multinational corporations based in industrialized countries are responsible for large amounts of forest degradation and conversion of rainforest to soybean and cattle ranching. This “solution” takes them out of the picture and again focuses blame and responsibility on the local and indigenous peoples.
This scheme also completely ignores inequity withing global South countries, as money paid to a government cannot be guaranteed to reach the forest dwelling peoples who will be most impacted by these projects.
As far as using the money for sustainable development projects, Integrated Conservation and Development Projects (ICPD’s) have been implemented by conservation agencies operating in the developing world for some time, and overall they have been a complete failure. It is incredibly difficult to develop community based conservation projects that are effective.
Overall, I see this as being a distraction from the real issues, the fact that industrialized nations, such as the U.S. are emitting completely disproportional amounts of greenhouse gases. Before we talk about what developing countries need to do, I believe that we need to talk about what kind of firm action industrialized nations will take.

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