IISD Reporting Services Coverage of U.S. Center at COP 22 - Issue #5

[IISD Reporting Services]

Title: IISD Reporting Services Coverage of U.S. Center at COP 22 - Issue #5

Having trouble viewing this email? Please try our Browser Version     U.S. Center at COP 22 Issue No. 5 - Saturday, 12 November 2016 Event convened on Friday, 11 November 2016 Visit our IISD Coverage for Friday, 11 November 2016, at: http://www.iisd.ca/climate/cop22/us-center/11nov.html The Melting Arctic: A Glimpse into the Future of Global Climate Change Presented by the US Department of State This event, moderated by Philip Duffy, Woods Hole Research Center, explored current scientific research on climate change and the Arctic, including the role of climate change in the Arctic on worldwide weather and weather extremes. Duffy emphasized that the Arctic is warming twice as fast as the planet as a whole. John Reager, National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA), presented on the tools and data set used by NASA to better understand climate change science. Noting that the US presently has 25 space observation stations, he demonstrated the changes in global temperature, Arctic sea-ice thickness and extent. He explained that ice sheets can contribute to abrupt, non-linear sea level changes. David Weindorf, Texas Tech, showed a preview of a film, titled ‘Between Earth and Sky,’ on the melting of the Arctic, debuting in early 2017. He said that the film will include interviews with top scientists and expressed hope that it will raise awareness of the dire consequences of climate change impacts in the Arctic and to other parts and communities of the world. Stephen Vavrus, University of Wisconsin, said that permafrost thawing will have “stunning” impacts on infrastructure and coastal erosion in the Arctic. Predicting that walrus haulout on Alaskan beaches may become more common, he explained how the disruption of atmospheric circulation patterns can bring about higher frequencies of extreme weather. Karen Florini, US Department of State, outlined her discussion on: elevating the priority of Arctic climate change policy; mitigating climate change; building resistance; and strengthening science. Specifically on the latest scientific knowledge of the Arctic cryosphere, she drew attention to the recent science report on Snow, Water, Ice and Permafrost in the Arctic (SWIPA). She explained that reducing black carbon and methane emissions can have significant co-benefits on human health in the near and medium term. She referenced priority sectors suggested to the Arctic Council, such as on: black carbon; oil gas flaring; and methane in waste management. During discussions, participants addressed, inter alia: the role of NASA as a data provider for scientists and policy makers; the importance of continuity of scientific missions and effective science communication to the general public; and precisely predicting the first ice-free arctic summer. More information: www.globalchange.gov/ Contacts: Stephen Vavrus (Coordinator), University of Wisconsin sjvav...@wisc.edu Low-Emissions Development Strategies (LEDS) Global Partnership: Advancing Country Leadership on NDC Action Presented by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) This event, moderated by Stephen King’uyu, Ministry of Environment & Natural Resources, Kenya, explored climate-resilient low-emission development and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) implementation via technical collaboration. Noting that the Low-Emissions Development Strategy Global Partnership (LEDS GP) catalyzes action across 300 countries and international organizations, Steve Hammer, World Bank, announced the recent establishment of LEDS GP’s fourth regional office in Eastern Europe and Eurasia. Fernando Farias, Ministry of the Environment, Chile, drew attention to activities organized by LED GPs’s regional platform in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). He drew attention to the LED GP’s latest regional workshop in Panama, held in September 2016, and discussed technical cooperation in LAC on climate mitigation and adaption. He mentioned that the fortnightly LEDS LAC webinars have become one of the most popular services provided by the platform. Nguyen Thi Dieu Trinh, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Viet Nam, drew attention to Viet Nam’s Climate Change Strategy and its Green Growth Strategy of 2012. Richemonde Assie, Ministry of Environment, Côte d’Ivoire, listed priorities for LEDS in Africa such as: innovation action in mitigation; improving access to electricity by only renewable energy; and low-emission strategies. Teimuraz Murgulia, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection, Georgia, highlighted the establishment of an emission baseline in his country. He announced that his country has committed to a 15 reduction in emissions from its baseline and a 25% reduction conditional on financial and technical support. He drew attention to the importance of support from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to his country’s LEDS coordination committee, which is composed of officials from across government departments. During discussions, participants discussed, inter alia: recognition that NDCs are addressing not only energy but, increasingly, also waste and forestry; and the importance of connecting technical advice from LEDS regional platforms to national coordinating committees composed of technical and political experts. More information: www.nrel.gov/ Contacts: Stephen King’uyu (Moderator), University of Wisconsin stephen.king...@gmail.com This issue has been written by Bo-Alex Fredvik. The Digital Editor are Liz Rubin and Diego Noguera. The Editor is Leila Mead <le...@iisd.org>. The Director of IISD Reporting Services is Langston James “Kimo” Goree VI <k...@iisd.org>. Funding for coverage of the U.S. Center at COP 22 has been provided by the US Department of State. The opinions expressed in this issue are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of IISD and funder. Excerpts from this issue may be used in non-commercial publications only with appropriate academic citation. For permission to use this material in commercial publications, contact the Director of IISD Reporting Services at <k...@iisd.org>. Electronic versions of issues of this issue can be found on the IISD Reporting Services website at http://www.iisd.ca/climate/cop22/us-center/ You are currently subscribed to enb as: arch...@mail-archive.com View enb Forum            Membership Options / Unsubscribe Subscribe to all other IISD Reporting Services' free newsletters and lists for environment and sustainable development policy professionals at http://www.iisd.ca/email/subscribe.htm