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Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I's message to the Interfaith Forum
Dear friends, brothers and sisters,
Distinguished organizers and participants of this important Interfaith Forum on Environmental Protection,
We are delighted to convey this message in order to assure you that we join you in prayer as you recognize the support of the world's religions in addressing climate change and affirming the protection of God's creation.
As religious leaders, all of us share an immense - and indeed a sacred vocation - responsibility to hold nations and corporations, but also communities and individuals accountable for the way we are treating our planet.
There can be no reason or excuse for indifference or inaction. Today, all of us are well aware of the intimate and inseparable connections of the ecological crisis to the global problems of poverty, migration and unrest.
How, then, can any nation decline the welfare of its citizens? Or how can any industry defend the exploitation of its consumers? And how can any person-of-good-will doubt the ethical implications of his or her lifestyle?
Dear friends, let us remind our leaders of the vital importance and urgency of implementing the Paris Agreement. Let us remind our nations that the earth is not a possession but a partner on our journey toward peace and prosperity.
Above all, let us remind everyone that God's creation is not a commodity but rather a gift that we are called to sustain and share with the most vulnerable and marginalized as well as to safeguard for the sake of our children.
May God bless you all in your deliberations and decisions.
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#All4TheGreen: Italy as a leading player
After the successful opening day of the #All4TheGreen week, which concluded with the impressive concert of Ezio Bosso in Piazza Maggiore, with a clear message asking the audience for climate action underlying the importance of the environment, day two kicked off with a discussion between a network of Italian universities and G7 delegates for sustainable development.
The day was filled with interviews with distinguished speakers, including Rossella Muroni, President of LegAmbiente, Lamberto Mancini, Director General of Touring Club Italian, and engaging dialogues between the Italian Environment Minister Gian Luca Galletti and master’s students from IULM University of Milan.
Rossella Muroni from LegAmbiente talked about the importance of raising awareness on climate change claiming that this issue is everybody’s responsibility. Muroni also stressed that innovation and green technology can play a role in the transition to a more sustainable world.
Lamberto Mancini explained how the theme of sustainability is at the core of Touring Club Italia. Why? Thanks to the action taken by Touring Club Italia of carefully mapping the Italian territory and putting road signs across the country, they are attributing value to the Italian countryside and delivering an enriched and sustainable environment to future generations.
The interviews were rounded up with an engaging discussion between Gian Luca Galletti, Italian Environmental Minister, and the master’s students from IULM University of Milan about the role of Italy as a leading player in the action against climate change, not only as the host country for the G7 Environment but also serving as a country model for other international players. The Minister informed that Italy invested 11 billion euros over the past three years in renewable energy. “We truly believe that in today’s economy, profits go side by side with sustainable business solutions”.
Last but not least, Piazza Maggiore once again became the closing stage of the All4TheGreen day with the screening of the inspiring documentary Racing Extinction, by the director Louie Psihoyos.
Racing Extinction, directed by Louie Psihoyos, projected on the biggest outdoor screen in Europe powered by solar energy on June 6. Photo Credits: Max Thabiso Edkins/Connect4Climate
Spectators had the unique opportunity to enjoy a special edition of the documentary, with a brand-new ending using the projections created by Connect4Climate for the 2015/2016 Jubilee of the Vatican in order to stress the importance of taking action against climate.
Recap of the breathtaking art projection on St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican, for the 2015/2016 Jubilee of the Vatican. Photo Credits: Riccardo Savi/Connect4Climate
Stay tuned for more exciting #All4TheGreen events!
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Bio-on presents a revolutionary new technology to eliminate oil pollution in the sea within 3 weeks
Bologna (Italy) 5 June 2017 – Some innovations bring truly revolutionary change to the planet and this is why Bio-on is proud to present its new technology, Minerv Biorecovery, which enables hydrocarbon sea pollution to be eliminated within approximately three weeks. "From today we offer the world and the market the technology to take effective, natural and ecological action in the event of environmental disasters such as oil spills into the sea," explains Marco Astorri, Chairman and CEO of Bio-on, which announces the success of its research conducted in collaboration with IAMC-CNR in Messina. "We have discovered," explains Astorri, "that the particles forming our PHAs bioplastic are the ideal environment for hosting and feeding the special microorganisms that eliminate oil from the sea." The World Bank Group will support Bio-on in raising awareness of the benefits of this technology for safeguarding the oceans as part of the Connect4Climate programme.
Marco Astorri, Chairman and CEO of Bio-on, shares more about the new technology Minerv Biorecovery in a Facebook Live session with Max Thabiso Edkins, Connect4Climate, at the SDG Media Zone in Bologna, Italy, as part of #AllTheGreen week of activities in the lead up to the G7 Environment.
Minerv Biorecovery: How it works
Minerv Biorecovery is a technological solution made of micro powders, measuring just a few microns and of a particular shape, created out of Bio-on's revolutionary PHAs bioplastic that is natural and 100% biodegradable. The particles of these micro powders are thrown into polluted sea waters and form a porous structure housing a series of bacteria, naturally present in the marine environment, which feeds on the bioplastic, multiply and grow stronger until they attack the oil. The biodegradation processes activate within approximately 5 days and the degradable fraction of the hydrocarbons (e.g. oil) is eliminated in approximately 20 days.
"It is nature looking after itself," explains Astorri, "because of our bioplastic, which is biobased, helps protect and feed these bacteria, thus accelerating their natural action." The micro powders in Minerv Biorecovery are 100% biodegradable and therefore do not release any residue into the sea unlike many solutions used to date in these cases. The biodegradation process for PHAs powder is sufficiently slow (1-2 months depending on conditions) to allow the bioremediating action of the microorganisms which, after having eliminated the pollutants, return to normal levels in the marine environment.
Tests on Minerv Biorecovery have been ongoing for several months at IAMC-CNR in Messina, which has tested, measured and validated the technology. Thanks to these studies, Bio-on is able to define an entirely new application in the oil-bioremediation field - a targeted activity that aims to “remediate” the negative impact on the environment of polluting molecules and products such as hydrocarbons, thanks to the metabolic degradation, and biodegradation, of microorganisms.
This activity is carried out by companies specializing in environmental remediation, Harbour Master's Offices, Navy, sea traders, etc.
"The principle of oil-bioremediation," explains Dr Simone Cappello, leading the Bioremediation project at IAMC in Messina, "is based on the existence of microorganisms, bacteria mainly, which are capable of attacking the molecular structure of many of the components in the naturally complex formulation of hydrocarbons. These microorganisms," explains Cappello, "are present in the marine environment but in metabolic, physiological conditions and not in sufficient quantities to enable a substantial reduction of the hydrocarbon spills. It is thanks to PHAs bioplastic that it is now possible to encourage and accelerate the otherwise prolonged transformation to CO2, the end product of biodegradation. Using PHAs bioplastic is also safe for the environment and marine life because it leaves no trace."
In the coming weeks, further tests will be conducted in the seas around the world: at ports and at industrial sites such as the refineries and cisterns at major oil companies. The application of this new technology will allow cleaning not only in the event of disasters but also in the everyday maintenance of ports or industrial sites.
"We are proud to announce this extraordinary discovery and contribute to protecting the marine environment," says Marco Astorri, Chairman and CEO of Bio-on, "We will license this technology, which is a further example of the many applications made possible by the PHAs bioplastic micro powders we will produce at the plant in Castel San Pietro Terme (Bologna) from 2018. We will continue to extend our direct presence even more in the bioremediation, cosmetics, biomedical and nanomedical sectors. Working with IAMC, a point of global excellence in marine research fills us with pride."
Minerv Biorecovery, like all the PHAs bioplastics (polyhydroxyalkanoates) developed by Bio-on is made from renewable plant sources with no competition with food supply chains. It is 100% eco-sustainable and naturally biodegradable at ambient temperature.
Bio-on will license the Minerv Biorecovery technology in the course of 2017. Marine pollution remediation products will be available from 2018
Press information: Angèlia S.r.l. Simona Vecchies; +393351245190; press@bio-on.it
Twitter: @BioOnBioplastic
Banner Photo Credits to Riccardo Savi/Connect4Climate
BERLIN, May 29, 2017— New conclusions 
from the High-Level Commission on Carbon Prices, led by Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz and Lord Nicholas Stern, provide the right advice at the right time to boost climate-friendly growth, investment and innovation, according to the World Bank’s Senior Director for Climate Change.
from the High-Level Commission on Carbon Prices, led by Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz and Lord Nicholas Stern, provide the right advice at the right time to boost climate-friendly growth, investment and innovation, according to the World Bank’s Senior Director for Climate Change.|
UN Secretary-General: “Climate action to forge a sustainable future on a healthy planet”
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres issued a call to action this Tuesday, May 30th, to meet the climate challenge. Speaking to students, business leaders and academics at the New York University Stern School of Business, Mr. Guterres described both the increasing risks from climate change and the compelling opportunities provided by climate action to create jobs, generate economic growth and build the foundations for a safer and more stable world.
“The effects of climate change are dangerous and they are accelerating,” he said. “It is absolutely essential that the world implements the Paris Agreement – and that we fulfill that duty with increased ambition.”
Mr. Guterres stressed that climate action is already under way and that countries and companies that are involved will reap the rewards.
“Thousands of private corporations, including major oil and gas companies, are taking their own action”, Mr. Guterres said. “They know that green business is good business. It is not just the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do.”
“The sustainability train has left the station. Get on board or get left behind. Those who fail to bet on the green economy will be living in a gray future. “Those who embrace green technologies will set the gold standard for economic leadership in the 21st century.”
Mr. Guterres layed out a five-point action plan to mobilize the world behind climate action.
First, intensified political engagement to raise the bar on efforts to limit temperature rise to well below 2 degrees and as close as possible to 1.5 degrees.
Second, stronger, integrated support by the entire United Nations development system for Governments as they strive to meet climate commitments and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Third, engagement with Governments and major actors, including the coal, oil and gas industries, to accelerate the global transition to sustainable energy.
Fourth, heightened efforts to mobilize national and international resources for adaptation, resilience, and the implementation of national climate action plans.
Fifth, new and strengthened partnerships, including with the private sector and through North-South, South-South, and triangular cooperation.
The Secretary-General intends to convene a climate summit in 2019 and is strongly committed to working with all Governments and partners to bridge divergent views and forge a shared vision of the way forward to address climate change -an unprecedented threat but also an an unparallelled opportunity.
Recap United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres' speech:
5th Dialogue on Action for Climate Empowerment
Timezone:
At COP 18 the Parties adopted the Doha work programme on Article 6 of the Convention and requested that the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SB)I organize an annual in-session Dialogue on Article 6 of the Convention in order to enhance work in the areas of climate change education, training, public awareness, public participation, public access to information, and international cooperation on these matters.
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Jay Carter-Cole & Dani Martinez: "If we all do a little, we all gain a lot"
Vulcan Productions helps create stories to inspire people to move the planet towards a better future. In 2016, the Film4Climate Global Video Competition invited aspiring filmmakers to express their vision for a sustainable future by creating a short film or video about climate action. We talked to filmmakers Jay Carter-Coles and Dani Martinez to hear what inspired them to make Your Choice, the lessons they learned and how we all can make a difference in the climate change fight.
Jay Carter-Coles & Dani Martinez
What inspired you to make this film?Dani: Since I was a child, I have always been concerned about climate change. When Antony, CEO from Real World Visuals, told us about the Film4Climate contest, we found that there was a special prize for the theme: Put a Price on Carbon, and that was what we wanted to go for. We wanted to create awareness about carbon emissions and carbon pricing as a way to address the problem caused by them. On the way, we discovered so much about what carbon pricing actually is and how implementing pricing solutions would help in reversing climate change.
Why is climate change important to you?Jay: Climate change is important to me because when I have children, I want them to live in a world where certain species do not only exist in history books. A world where they can breathe clean air and live a healthy life.
Dani: To me, I grew up in Andalusia region of Spain where having access to water could become a problem if there was not enough rain. With climate change, this problem is becoming even more serious. I want to create awareness about climate change so people begin thinking about how they can take action to help.
What is one thing that you wish people knew about your region of the world and how it is being effected by climate change?
Dani: Since I can remember, my home has been impacted by droughts. Today, this problem is getting even worse. With climate change, the risk of torrential downpour has also increased. This poses a different problem for our region’s agriculture, which is the main source of income. Not having water is obviously a problem but when the rain ones all at once, that can destroy thousands of farming acres as well.
Jay: Not many people know that North Sea Birds in the England are starving due to warming waters decreasing the population of sand eels and ridding the seas of plankton, the major food source the birds.
What is one thing you learned from embarking on this film?Jay: I learned two things: There’s a lot being done in the fight against climate change, but there’s still a lot of work left.
What is one thing people can do to make a difference?Dani: I think that the best way for people to do their bit is trying to reduce their annual carbon footprint. Daily, you find hundreds of people going to work in their cars on their own, while sharing a lift or riding a bike could seriously help reducing carbon emissions. Also, by riding a bike, they wouldn't have to be stuck in traffic for ages, so it is a win-win situation!
Jay: Start small. You don't need to invest lots of money in solar panels for your house or an electric car (but if you have the money, do it!). You can make a difference by using electric only when necessary, walking to the shops instead of driving or sharing a lift to work with a friend!
If we all do a little, we all gain a lot.
"It's our generation duty to engage people to think about climate change and act against it." "You have to start taking action now, start taking responsibility, because if we don't, let you know it may not be us who suffers, but might be your kids, or your grand kinds, or their kids. So pay now, or pay later; your choice," Jay Carter-Coles and Dani Martinez say in this video.
