Big Deforestation Drivers -- New Book with Infographics

From: ifsaworld@yahoogroups.com

The Global Canopy Programme is pleased to announce the release of The Little Book of Big Deforestation Drivers.

 

Over the last decade the demand for agricultural products for food, feed and fuel and the production of globally traded forest risk commodities (palm oil, beef, soya, and timber) have been responsible for driving the majority of tropical deforestation and forest degradation, which has major impacts on climate change, the provision of ecosystem services, and the sustainability of long term economic development.

 

The Little Book of Big Deforestation Drivers outlines the global context to the drivers of deforestation, provides a detailed overview of the most critical forest risk commodity supply chains, and presents a clear and realistic framework of 24 regulatory, market and supply chain catalysts that can act to reduce deforestation caused by these commodities.

 

The book is available to download in English, Bahasa Indonesia, French and Spanish from the GCP website at www.globalcanopy.org/LittleBookofDrivers.

 

The book makes use of infographics to illustrate the global production and consumption of key forest risk commodities and the complexity of global commodity supply chains. For example:

This hypothetical supply chain of a burger illustrates the complexity of global supply chains and the numerous actors and stages involved in the production and trade of a product from the forest to the end consumer.

The Landscapes Game: App Developer is Needed!!

The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) advances human well-being, environmental conservation and equity by conducting research to help shape policies and practices that affect forests in developing countries. CIFOR is a member of the CGIAR Consortium. Our headquarters are in Bogor, Indonesia, with offices in Asia, Africa and South America.

CIFOR is looking for a App Developer 

Overview 
Drawing on concepts of Monopoly, SimCity, American Farmer and Snakes and Ladders, CIFOR scientists have developed a board game called the Landscapes Game that requires players to invest in different land uses or commodities to maximize their revenues while at the same time taking care of ecological and social conditions (see the player manual here).

Playing the Landscapes Game/@GlobalLF

The game has been played with communities across the world and has helped scientists better understand the dynamics of land competition, policy measures and sustainability of many different kinds of land uses.

We are now looking to engage a consultant or game development agency ahead of the Global Landscapes Forum on 16-17 November to bring this board game to the online world by creating a mobile phone app for Android and iOS.

Specific duties and responsibilities:

1. Use relevant programming languages to design, develop and implement a mobile game version of the Landscapes Game; 
2. Liaise with scientific project team and collect application development requirements; 
3. Manage changes, bugs, and enhancements for the application; modify the application where necessary; and test its applicability to ensure it conforms to the specifications; 
4. Conduct user acceptance testing and report results; 
5. Provide end-user support; 
6. Perform other related duties as required. 

Expressions of interest should be sent to Bruno Vander Velde b.vandervelde@cgiar.org and Sandra Caya s.caya@cgiar.org by 14 October 2013 and should include a portfolio of previous app/game development. Shortlisted applicants will be sent a more detailed brief in late October and asked to submit a proposal and budget for consideration.

CIFOR is an equal opportunity employer. Staff diversity contributes to excellence.

Jobs Opportunity: FIELD-Bumi Ceria

FIELD Indonesia Foundation (Farmer Initiatives for Ecological Livelihoods and Democracy) is an organization that supports people in marginal communities through education for empowerment. FIELD Indonesia was established on 1 June 2001. FIELD key staff are former members of the FAO Regional Program on Community IPM in Asia (www.CommunityIPM.org) in 1998-2002 and was part of the team that provided technical assistance over 12 years to the National IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Program, local farmer organizations and the Indonesian IPM Farmers Associations. FIELD activities make use of a variety learning approaches including the Farmer Field Schools & Studies, Community Action Research, Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, and Farmer Advocacy.

FIELD-Bumi Ceria (Building Disaster and Climate Change Resilience in Padang Pariaman Farming Communities, West Sumatra) is a program which will generate and support resilience at the community level through the organized participatory action-learning via Field Schools conducted at community and Nagari level. The project was full supported by United State Agency for International Development (USAID) through Cooperative Agreement No. AID-497-A-I0-00002. The program will run for 30 months in period of October 2010-March 2013. Local facilitators will be recruited and trained to manage these activities and to strengthen local program planning and implementation capabilities. Field Schools will address Disaster and Climate Change Vulnerability at the Nagari level in 20 selected Nagari, and technical/livelihood issues at the community level will be addressed through 80 Field Schools in Eco-rice, agro-forestry, and bio-gas/organic fertilizer production. Follow-up action programs will also be supported at community and Nagari level.

Multi-stakeholder Workshops, forums, and networking programs will further build local capacities, leverage support for replication, solidify learning and program models, and build the partnerships necessary for dissemination and sustainability. Key partners include the Provincial Agricultural Service and the local Disaster Management Agency, as well as other agencies currently working post-earthquake in Padang Pariaman District.

The total beneficiary would be 5,500 people and it consists of 2,500 capable community cadres who have been trained in Field Schools and 3,000 people who have been increased their understanding on disaster risk reduction and climate change through field days, forums and workshops. The local governments, local communities, and FIELD will contribute in-kind resources to the program.

Besides, FIELD-Bumi Ceria has raised resources from APEC Digital Opportunity Center (ADOC) in Taiwan. ADOC provide digital device to increase farmer understanding on information and communication technologies, especially to get information on disaster risk reduction, climate change and farmer’s livelihood.

Currently, FIELD-Bumi Ceria seeking for

1. Area Managers with following criteria:

• 2 years minimun experienced work with local communities
• Have agriculture back ground are preferred
• Know the basic concepts of facilitation, adult education, especially those who already know the concept of the field school
• Know the concept of disaster risk reduction and climate change
• Accustomed to working under pressure, able to work independently, able to work in a team, willing to work with the community in the field
• Able to speak english
• Able to operate computer

The objective of Area Manager is to support project planning, implementation and evaluation under general guidance from Project Manager as follows:

• Work closely with technical specialist and other area managers to conduct field school, farmer research, training, workshop and other technical issues related to disaster risk reduction, climate change, monitoring and evaluation
• Organize initial field schools in nagari or korong level both technical and vulnerability assessment
• Provide support to local facilitators in implementation of field schools and community groups in development and implementation of action plans related to Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation
• Liaise with local stakeholders at village and sub-district levels
• Assist Project Manager for technical report both annual and progress reports including success stories, best practices, lessons learned and shared learning.

2. Computer Trainer with following criteria:

• At least 2 years experienced working in IT
• Able to develop a simple computer and Internet learning modules
• Willing to work under pressure, independently or with team
• Willing to work with communities in the Field
• Experience working with journalists and media

The objective of Computer Trainer is to support project planning, implementation and evaluation under general guidance from Project Manager as follows:

• Work closely with Area Managers to conduct field training on digital device
• Organize initial training on digital device in nagari or korong level
• Set up and organize office network to support FIELD-Bumi Ceria daily activities
• Liaise with stakeholders in any level to leverage impact of digital learning center
• Assist Project Manager for technical report both annual and progress reports including success stories, best practices, lessons learned and shared learning.
• Development of media and journalist network in outreaching program issues

Please send application letter and latest CV to bumiceria@gmail.com before Wednesday, December 14th 2011

Note: only short listed will be contact

International Graduate Conference on Climate Change and People

International Graduate Conference on Climate Change and People

15-19 November 2010, Kathmandu, NEPAL

The projected impacts of climate change - many of which are potentially irreversible - will affect everyone on the Earth. The deterioration of the earth’s ecosystems will jeopardize human health; precipitation patterns; water and food supplies; energy supplies; and the integrity of natural systems. Calling for unified global action against climate change, The Small Earth Nepal and the Consortium for Capacity Building (University of Colorado) are organizing a regionally-focused International Graduate Conference on Climate Change and People. The event is set in collaboration with the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Government of Nepal; the Centre of Research for Environment Energy and Water (Nepal), the Asian Institute of Technology (Thailand) and the International Research Center for River Basin Environment, University of Yamanashi (Japan). The goal of the conference is to bring together various scholars, graduate students and climate change practitioners to equip and mobilize Young Minds on climate change and related societal issues. The conference is supported by Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) under the CAPaBLE Program. The conference is also co-sponsored by UNESCO. Additional sponsors are welcome to join.

The conference is mainly focused on the multidisciplinary capacity building of graduate students and scientists in various disciplines. The event will feature the sharing of knowledge and experience by experts and participants on “Climate Affairs”, from climate-related science to impacts to policy & economics to ethics & equity. Climate Affairs is a concept which aims to enhance the “eco-generation” of climate leaders and climate agents in their respective academic and practical areas of concern.

The Conference activities concentrate to provide the following:

• To build the awareness and scientific capacity of young students from multiple disciplines while fostering and enhancing networks for sustainable development options in the region.
• To equip graduate students with usable knowledge on the importance of multidisciplinary activities in addressing climate change, regardless of their home academic discipline.
• To enable participants to formulate a multinational networking group to develop baseline skills needed to understand climate change mitigation, adaptation and prevention measures.
• To create awareness among community and social leaders for identifying their roles in effective ways to combat the influences of a changing climate.

How to Apply? Apply by email with letter of interest and detailed CV. Interested undergraduates may also inquire about the conference by email.

Deadline: The Submission of Application is due on 15 September 2010.

Selection of Participants: Expression Email or Letter of Interest and Commitment Level.

Registration Fees: US$ 100 for SAARC Country citizens and participants from other developing countries from Greater South Asia (e.g., Central and Southwest Asia to Myanmar). For participants from developed countries in Asia-Pacific and beyond, the fee is US$ 150.

Funding: Partial or full funding may be available to the selected participants from developing countries.

Further details, please contact:            

Michael Glantz at michael.glantz@colorado.edu

Dhiraj Pradhananga at smallearth@wlink.com.np

via environment-professionals.googlegroups.com 

Leave Nothing But Footprints

The Jakarta Post -- WEEKENDER | Sun, 11/23/2008 3:31 PM |

You’ve gone over the list countless times. Will it be a shamelessly self-indulgent R&R weekend in Legian? Or a slightly more adventurous journey into the highlands of Tana Toraja? There’s also that Mt. Bromo trip your spouse keeps pestering you about. Hmmm ... Settle for Orchard Road? Ubaidillah Syohih trains his green binoculars on your next holiday destination.

Holidays are a time to bond and spend some leisurely time with your loved ones or friends. At the planning stage, when half a dozen ideas on where to head off to are floating around, holidays also do a very good job of fraying nerves. So before the Lonely Planet guides and maps start flying across the room, here are some things to keep in mind.

In a country such as Indonesia, with its seemingly endless range of awesome destinations, you will always be spoiled for choice. Hundreds of volcanoes to climb, rainforests to trek, waves to surf, reefs to explore, beaches to roast on, more than 250 ethnic groups with 350 local languages to discover ... There’s something for everyone. But regardless of the destination, with every additional dive down the reef wall or every new bungalow, the destination loses a little something.

It’s not just a piece of coral that is inadvertently broken during a dive, or a small food wrapper that gets caught in the wind and ends up decorating the forest. The aggregate impact of our holiday, from transportation (emissions, traffic) to the hotel we’re staying at (energy and water use), can damage the prospects of a holiday destination to sustain tourists over the long term. Indonesia may need visitors, but it also needs them to tread lightly and respectfully. With people from all over the world traveling to the archipelago to witness nature at its creative best, there’s only one way to safeguard these destinations: responsible tourism.

Now you may have heard about ecotourism, also known as ecological tourism, a catchall term that has been eagerly appended to many a hotel and resort name. At best, this is a form of responsible tourism that appeals to ecologically and socially conscious individuals. It typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. At worst, it is a hotel called “Bunga Ecotourism Resort” whose claim to sustainability is limited to a glossy brochure flaunting the natural merits of the area.

How can we select a rewarding holiday destination without leaving a trail of destruction in our wake?

PLANNING

1. Decide on what kind of holiday you are after – will it be backpacking or operator-tour style?

2. If you go for the tour operator, ask where your money is going or find out by yourself – staying in locally owned accommodation benefits local families.

3. In choosing your activities at the destination, go for environmentally friendly activities that contribute to the local economy and protect nature and culture.

4. Small gifts from home can be a great way to say thank you to your hosts – think about what might be of most use to the local community.

Review your options: www.eco-tropicalresorts.com/indian/indonesia.htm

BEFORE YOU GO

Before you bounce out the door, there are a few things that need to be taken care of.

1. Make sure that all electric appliances are switched off, and that there are no leaks.

2. If you are going on vacation with your own vehicle, make sure that it is well maintained so you don’t pollute the places you visit. It would be better if you used public transportation, such as a bus or train, to reach your destination.

WHEN YOU’RE THERE

Only a few hotels in Indonesia are managed in an environmentally friendly way, so it’s up to you to do your bit.

1. In many remote places around Indonesia, fresh water is scarce. Keep this in mind when you wash, and keep those showers short.

2. Towels can be used for at least two days without being washed, to reduce energy and water used to clean them.

3. Remember to switch off lights and air conditioning when you leave the room to reduce energy use.

4. Of course, never buy products made from marine turtles and insist on eating locally caught fish.

5. You can also encourage the hotel by presenting the manager with a list of environmental tips for green hotels. If your hotel or homestay prides itself as an ecotourism facility, make sure you ask them why and how.

More tips at http://www.charityguide.org/volunteer/fifteen/green-hotels.htm

“KILL NOTHING BUT TIME, TAKE NOTHING BUT PICTURES AND LEAVE NOTHING BUT FOOTPRINTS”

You have probably heard this well-known phrase. By killing nothing but time and by taking nothing but pictures, you protect the environment and wildlife. And by leaving nothing but footprints, you make a positive impact on local communities, such as preventing the loss of culture.

International Academic Conference on 'Global Land Grabbing'

CALL FOR PAPERS

International Academic Conference on 'Global Land Grabbing’
6-8 April 2011

Co-organized and hosted by the Future Agricultures Consortium Institute of Development Studies(IDS), University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.

The Journal of Peasant Studies, in collaboration with the Land Deal Politics Initiative (LDPI) is organizing an international academic workshop on ‘Global Land Grabbing’ to be held on 6-8 April 2011 at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.

The focus of the conference will be on the politics of global land grabbing and agrarian change. Papers are expected to address some of the most urgent and strategic questions around global land grab.

The deadline for Call for Papers is 31 October 2010
Download the details about submissions:
http://www.smu.ca/academic/arts/ids/documents/2011JPSLDPICallforPapers10Mayversion.pdf

For information about the Journal of Peasant Studies, click:
http://www.informaworld.com/jps

For information about LDPI, click:
http://www.smu.ca/academic/arts/ids/ldpi_about.html

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