1004. Only Two Years Left to Save the Planet

On April 10th in London, Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), gave a speech entitled "Two Years to Save the World.”

"Some of you may think the title is overly dramatic. Melodramatic, even,” he said to begin his speech, before enumerating why the next two years are critical in saving the planet. His explanations are summarized as follows:

First, there is no room for half-measures in light of the record heat waves and the significant damage to economies. Second, the race to determine the biggest winners in a new clean energy economy has just begun. As the global index of living standards continues to change, the seriousness of each nation's climate action will determine whether it rises or falls behind, and whether it survives or not. Third, for many countries, the ability to implement a strong new climate plan depends on making a quantum leap in climate finance this year. Fourth, it is important for the G20, which is responsible for 80% of all emissions, to take leadership in strengthening emissions reduction commitments for the success of the Paris Agreement, in order to promote cooperation between developed and developing countries. Fifth and finally, citizens of all countries should be involved in this transition to a green economy, and their voices should be heard to promote change.

The speech also raised hopes that an agreement on a new climate finance goal that meets the needs of developing countries will be reached at the Conference of the Parties (COP) 29 scheduled for this year in Baku, Azerbaijan. 

The COP is the UNFCCC’s main decision-making body and is a large-scale international conference attended by all parties to the UNFCCC to discuss international rules for global warming countermeasures. A seminar will be held this Friday with a Japanese staff of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) participating in climate change negotiations, including the COP. We invite you to attend the seminar.

Details about the 8th JISNAS-FAO Joint Seminar "Agrifood Systems and Climate Change: Conversations with a Japanese Staff Working at FAO" (April 26)

We are pleased to announce an online seminar to be held jointly by the Japan Intellectual Support Network in Agricultural Sciences (JISNAS) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Liaison Office in Japan. The global technical expertise of UN agencies and international organizations is not yet fully utilized in Japan due to language constraints and the specialized nature of the information. Therefore, JISNAS and the FAO Liaison Office in Japan will hold a joint seminar as an opportunity to provide the latest information in Japanese, in collaboration with the FAO, the specialized agency of the United Nations for food and agriculture. The seminar’s objectives are to disseminate information to Japanese universities, students, researchers, and research institutions, and to promote closer cooperation between Japan and FAO.

In this seminar, Ms. Makie Yoshida, a climate change specialist and currently a Japanese staff member working at FAO, will deliver first-hand accounts from the field and present the latest developments at FAO regarding agrifood systems and climate change, including the contents of COP28. She will also deliver a speech in Japanese about her own experiences, such as how she built her career at the UN and how to connect with work. Please register using the link below, and we look forward to your participation.

Date & Time: Friday, April 26, 2024, 16:00-17:00
Format: Online (Zoom Webinar)
Speaker: Ms. Makie Yoshida, Climate Change Specialist, Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, FAO
Lecture: " Agriculture & Food Systems and Latest Trends on Climate Change According to FAO (tentative title)
Language: Japanese
Organizers: FAO Liaison Office in Japan and JISNAS
Registration: Please register using the link below.
https://fao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y5DZ7COUQyKWxj5hzacw2g

Contributor: IIYAMA Miyuki (Information Program)