Transcript Slide 1

Many Strong Voices
Climate Change and Adaptation
in the Arctic and Small Island Developing States
11th Annual Conference of the International Environmental Forum
Responding to Climate Change:
Scientific Realities, Spiritual Imperatives
Ottawa, Canada
12 October 2007
What is Many Strong Voices?
The Many Strong Voices
programme is an unique
alliance between the Arctic and
Small Island Developing
States (SIDS).
It aims to ensure the well-being
of these regions in the face of
climate change, and to help
people protect their cultures,
economies and environments.
Why is it needed?
•
2007 report of the International
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC IV)
– Arctic and SIDS most severely
affected by climate change.
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Although natural and human
environments differ markedly there
are similar effects, including:
– Rising temperatures
– Changing precipitation
– Shifts in the frequency/intensity of
extreme weather events
– Projected changes in sea level
threaten the ecology, economies and
social and cultural fabric of both
regions, posing serious challenges
for sustainable development.
Similar concerns –
Arctic and SIDS are the front lines of climate change
Arctic and Small Island Developing States Challenges
• reliance on economies based on natural resources on
land and at sea
• high unemployment and low average educational
attainment
• transportation and communication challenges
• coastal zones of great importance for the human and
natural environment
Arctic and Small Island Developing States Strengths
• a continuing, deeply-rooted connection of the people to
their environment
• incorporation of traditional knowledge into daily life and
decision-making
• a history of resilience and a demonstrated ability to
adapt to outside influences over generations
What are the Goals?
• Build capacity to strengthen
the role of these vulnerable
regions in negotiations on
greenhouse gas mitigation and
on climate change adaptation
• Raise awareness about the
effects of climate change on
vulnerable regions
• Increase understanding of
needs and solutions
• Take action on adaptation
What will it do?
Develop a five-year action plan
that will:
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Conduct a comprehensive
coastal impact assessment
Develop new climate change
networks to facilitate the sharing
of knowledge and best practices
between vulnerable regions,
Support communities to devise
concrete, community-relevant
adaptation strategies, and
Develop communications tools
that will ensure that people’s
voices are heard in international
negotiations.
Institutional Partners and Collaborators
Aleut International Association (AIA)
Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC)
Arctic Athabaskan Council (AAC)
Center for International Climate and Environment Research – Oslo (CICERO)
Climate Change & Energy Programme, Foundation for International Environmental
Law and Development (FIELD)
Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Landbased Activities (UNEP-GPA)
Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC)
New Zealand Tourism Research Institute (NZTRI)
Organization of American States Dept. of Sustainable Development
Overseas Countries and Territories of the European Union (OCTA)
Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)
Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI)
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC)
UNEP/GRID-Arendal
WWF South Pacific Programme
www.manystrongvoices.org
Shishmaref, Alaska
Male, Maldives