It might seem tautological to say that the story of man and forest is as old as, well, man and forest. But considering that we spend so much time and energy cutting down trees and generally disregarding their importance to our survival, it seems like we have forgotten that our existence is largely sustained by forests.

From the World Bank’s Forests and Forestry Page

Forests contain twice as much carbon as exists in the Earth’s atmosphere, and absorb about 15 percent of the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, destruction of forests through deforestation and forest degradation now contribute about 18% of the planet's greenhouse gases, a principal cause of climate change. 

Based on the comments on our Facebook wall, many of you understand the importance of protecting forests as an effective method of protecting the environment. Your comments remind us that this is a conversation that needs to be shared around the world.

As individuals we might not be able to sit at the negotiating table in Durban or Rio+20, but planting trees or educating our neighbors on the importance of forests, is well within our capability. Forests provide mankind a very rich existence. For some communities that have been living in harmony with forests, this is common knowledge. Asimenyekyala Nthakomwa noted this on our Facebook wall:

“communities harvest lots of non timber forest products... fruits, mushrooms, firewood, thatching grass, edible insects and a lot more therefore their protection ensures continued benefits to the communities, let me mention that the communities (especially those who dwell closer to the forests) should be involved in the protection of these forests so that they should feel that they own them and its for their benefit otherwise illegal harvesting cases will be the order of the day and they will be used unsustainably!”

Many of you made valid observations today about forests and their role in fighting climate change. You commented that forests are important to you because they house animals, provide oxygen, sequester carbon, prevent desertification, provide shade and beauty, protect biodiversity and water resources, balance micro-climates, and are part of our heritage and legacy.

A few weeks ago, forests featured heavily during our week of African Voices on Climate Change (AVCC). AVCC was our invitation to African and Diaspora bloggers to contribute their stories on climate change. Over the next few weeks we’ll feature those voices as part of our weekly discussions. One of those contributors, Professor Wolfgang H. Thome, from Rwanda wrote about Nyungwe National Forest Park in Rwanda and how the country is looking at sustainable methods of including forests as part of the national attraction. This is a great example of positive use of forests. We don’t necessarily need to destroy forests in order to create tourist attractions, forests ARE the attraction:

The establishment of the Nyungwe Forest National Park a few years ago widened Rwanda’s tourism attractions and the success of this park – including its unique treetop walk – has fueled rumours that another forest national park may be in the making to provide more choices of itineraries and fulfill the country’s tourism vision to attract quality tourists who are staying longer and spend more money, making the ‘industry’ succeed in the long run for generations to come.

Given all your input into the discussion on forests, one could conclude that nearly all of the 80,000 fans on our Facebook page joined because they understand the causes of climate change and are passionate about finding solutions. 80,000 of you understanding how critical a role forests play in the fight against climate change might not seem like much against a population of 7 billion. But 80,000 is a lot when you are started at zero. There’s a lot to say and to understand about our relationship with nature. Our journey to being more knowledgeable might perhaps answer critical questions about our dysfunctional relationship with our environment. Like for example,  what allows us to ignore the destructive nature of our behaviors, in full light of evidence?

From UNEP:
Forests cover one third of the earth's land mass, performing vital functions around the world. In fact, 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihoods. They play a key role in our battle against climate change. Forests feed our rivers and are essential to supplying the water for nearly 50% of our largest cities, including New York, Jakarta and Caracas. They help to regulate the often devastating impact of storms and floods.

Forests are the most biologically-diverse ecosystems on land, home to more than half of the terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects. Forests also provide shelter, jobs and security for forest-dependent populations.

Yet despite all of these priceless ecological, economic, social and health benefits, we are destroying the very forests we need to survive. Global deforestation continues at an alarming rate -- 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed annually, equal to the size of Portugal.

One thing is clear, we are all responsible. But at the same time, we are fully capable of being the solution. So please continue to share your stories about the ways forests benefit you. If you don’t think forests impact your everyday life, please make it a point to join the discussion and hear the stories of others. Somewhere along the way, we hope you will come to understand that others’ stories about forests are reflections of all humankind’s interactions with forests. We are all connected, and we all rely on forests. Next week, we’ll look at how one person’s story of a forest is relevant to all of us.

Solomon W. Jagwe is a Ugandan animator with over 15 years experience in the digital arts. He has spent the last couple of years working on an animated film that tells the story of a Mountain Gorilla on a quest to survive. With production of the film still in progress, C4C caught up with Mr. Jagwe over Skype to gain a little more information on his very personal project of using film to engage youth in Uganda and on the continent about the importance of conservation.

[video:https://youtu.be/hY3DkqGWHX8]

 

Why did you choose to use film as a medium to get your message across?

I chose to use film to deliver the story of Galiwango, because when I was growing up as a kid back in Uganda, the only way that I heard folk tales about wildlife, was through kerosene lamp-lit evenings in the village, with my grandmother. When my grandmother passed away, I realized that, those stories of Wango (leopard), Wakayima (Hare), and Waguludene (Elephant) had most certainly gone to the grave with her, except for what I had in my memory. I figured that the surest way to save that rich heritage of oral tradition, was to carry on the torch and use a medium that was rapidly being accessed all over the world through the web and in movie theaters.

And considering the fact that we the youth are the future consumers and leaders of tomorrow, I had to find a method that would appeal to that demographic. That's why I chose the 3D animated approach. I have been working in this industry since 1998. I have worked for the US defense industry for over 12 years as an animator, and 3D artist, created content for video games, military simulations, cinematics and scenario based training.

Having worked within military circles for that length of time, I developed a soft spot for men and women who lay down their lives to protect and preserve freedom. That experience shaped the way I look at Park Rangers. I see them as the front-line, unsung heroes in the global effort to protect endangered wildlife and the conservation of the habitats they live in. In the Galiwango film, I show the tremendous responsibility the rangers have in fending off Illegal charcoal traders and poachers. There is a war being waged against the forests in Africa (and in South America) where the forests in the Congo Basin and Amazon Basin are threatened by logging and deforestation that is feeding the illegal charcoal trade, especially in the Congo.

Without the forest cover, the endangered wildlife is stripped bare of its protective habitat and source of food and accommodation. This also opens up the habitats to squatters as communities build closer and closer to the habitat shared by the mountain gorillas and other endangered wildlife. [ Some photos of my mountain gorilla tracking trip to Bwindi to see the Nshongi mountain gorilla group, and to gather reference material for the Galiwango Film ] 

After the tracking, I sat down with 4 rangers and interviewed them about their experience of protecting the Bwindi forest and the mountain gorillas, plus all the other  endangered wildlife. It was an eye opening experience. I met a ranger called Sgt Major. Benjamin Bayenda, an old man who has been serving as a ranger for 24 years. His dedication to the conservation effort inspired me greatly. I promised him that I would share his story and do my best to let the world know about the challenges and triumphs of the rangers. 

Statistics show that 78% of Uganda's population is 30 years and below, and 51% are 15 and below, which means that future Rangers are going to have to come from that demographic. Rangers like Sgt. Major Benjamin are going to have to retire at some point, and its going to be us the youth to carry on that noble torch.  So the way I see it, is that the sooner we educate the youth to develop an endearment to the plight of the endangered wildlife and future of our environment, the better prepared they will be when that calling takes root in their hearts.  I have made it a personal crusade to educate the youth for as long as I have breath.

 

You have decided to make this a very personal project, it is very unusual given your background to switch to environmental education? What drives you?

My drive to this effort didn't start yesterday, I have been a wildlife advocate since I was a kid. The subject matter is drawn from my longstanding fascination with nature and wild life as a whole. I have always loved studying wild animals, birds and fish. I remember how I used to skip lunch, while in boarding school, and spend that time reading Encarta encyclopedias filled with beautiful images of creatures from all over the world.

Mountain gorillas captured my imagination not only because of their immense size and grace but also by the alarming rate at which they were disappearing from the face of the planet. It was quite sobering and rather saddening to think that these awesome creatures might not be around for future generations to appreciate.

Like my late grandmother, I wanted to tell stories about the struggles and triumphs of these endangered great apes, and shed a light on the struggles and triumphs of the men and women working had to protect them. I tell the story from a captured gorilla’s point of view. I weave into the tale a human element of  redemption, interaction with technology, war and humor.

Do you think Uganda's youth and Africa's youth in general are capable of rising to the occasion and putting the environment and the causes of climate change as central issues critical to their future?

I am an ardent optimistic and believer, that there are others like me out there. Young women and men who have a heart for the conservation and preservation of our environment. Through social media, I have been able to reach out and share this message, and I see the numbers rising on the Mountain Gorilla conservationCause Group and the Galiwango Film Facebook page I created with a combined total of 7,218 members/fans. That's why I can answer yes, I do believe the youth are capable of rising to the occasion.

Ever since I shared the Galiwango film project with the public, I have received a number of inquiries from youth in Uganda and Congo on how they can get involved and how they contribute to groups like the Batwa tribe, a forest people that were displaced from Bwindi, a habitat they shared with the mountain gorillas. I am also reaching out to other young leaders like Rica Rwigambwa, who is the head of the tourism and wildlife in Rwanda. She is a young lady who is dedicated to the evironmental protection effort and the conservation of endangered wildlife.

How will you measure impact of the film when it is done? What's next for you after the film?

The impact of the film will be measured in the number of schools I will be able to visit, and the number of workshops I will do as a continued effort to spread the word. My goal is to take it to as many schools as possible to sow that same seed that was sown in my life. Investment in education is a priceless effort and the impact is often made manifest when those children grow up.

Tangible impact will be in the continued contribution to a Ranger Fund, which can already be seen by the donations people are making through the Galiwango Cause Group I set up and the Comic Book based on the film that I wrote and illustrated. That money goes to providing a rehabilitation center for gorillas rescued from poachers, through the Dr. Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. They also fund ranger patrols that help disable traps in the forests, fend off poachers and illegal charcoal producers.  I donate $5 dollars from every comic book purchased to the conservation effort.

I also believe that there will be an increase in contribution of youth to the effort to help disadvantaged forest people like the Batwa, and raising awareness to the cultural heritage projects like the Batwa Experience Trailin Bwindi, where the natives share the value of protecting a Forest habitat they shared with the mountain gorillas.

To learn more about the film visit the website. http://www.galiwango.com/

Regular food shortages in Sub-Saharan Africa….shifting rain patterns in South Asia leaving some parts under water and others without enough water for power generation, irrigation, or drinking….degradation and loss of reefs in South East Asia resulting in reduced fish stocks and coastal communities and cities more vulnerable to increasingly violent storms….these are but a few of the likely impacts of a possible global temperature rise of 2 degrees Celsius[1] in the next few decades that threatens to trap millions of people in poverty, according to a new scientific report released today by the World Bank Group.

 

Down the Heat: Climate Extremes, Regional Impacts, and the Case for Resilience builds on a World Bank report released late last year, which concluded the world would warm by 4 degrees Celsius[2] (4°C or 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels by the end of this century if we did not take concerted action now. This new report looks at the likely impacts of present day, 2°C and 4°C warming on agricultural production, water resources, coastal ecosystems and cities across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and South East Asia.

"This new report outlines an alarming scenario for the days and years ahead – what we could face in our lifetime," said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim. "The scientists tell us that if the world warms by 2°C -- warming which may be reached in 20 to 30 years -- that will cause widespread food shortages, unprecedented heat-waves, and more intense cyclones. In the near-term, climate change, which is already unfolding, could batter the slums even more and greatly harm the lives and the hopes of individuals and families who have had little hand in raising the Earth's temperature."

"These changes forecast for the tropics illustrate the level of hardships that will be inflicted on all regions eventually, it we fail to keep warming under control," Kim said. "Urgent action is needed to not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also to help countries prepare for a world of dramatic climate and weather extremes."

The report, prepared for the World Bank by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Climate Analytics, reveals how rising global temperatures are increasingly threatening the health and livelihoods of the most vulnerable populations, crucially magnifying problems each region is struggling with today.

Turn Down the Heat: Climate Extremes, Regional Impacts, and the Case for Resilience is an analysis of the latest climate science, as a means to better understand the risks of climate change to development. Key findings include:

In Sub-Saharan Africa, by the 2030s droughts and heat will leave 40 percent of the land now growing maize unable to support that crop, while rising temperatures could cause major loss of savanna grasslands threatening pastoral livelihoods. By the 2050s, depending on the sub-region, the proportion of the population undernourished is projected to increase by 25-90 percent compared to the present.

In South Asia, the potential change in the regularity and impact of the all-important monsoon could precipitate a major crisis in the region. Events like the devastating Pakistan floods of 2010, which affected more than 20 million people, could become common place. More extreme droughts in large parts of India could lead to widespread food shortages and hardship.

Across South East Asia, rural livelihoods are faced with mounting pressures as sea levels rise, tropical cyclones increase in intensity, and important marine ecosystem services are lost as warming approaches 4°C.

And across all the regions, the likely movement of impacted communities into urban areas could lead to ever higher numbers of people in informal settlements being exposed to heat waves, flooding, and diseases.

The report says impacts across its study regions are potentially devastating. And, if warming goes from 2ºC to 4°C, multiple threats of increasing extreme heat waves, sea–level rise, more severe storms, droughts and floods would have severe negative implications for the poorest and most vulnerable. It notes, however, that many of the worst consequences could still be avoided by holding warming below 2ºC.

"I do not believe the poor are condemned to the future scientists envision in this report. In fact, I am convinced we can reduce poverty even in a world severely challenged by climate change," President Kim continued. "We can help cities grow clean and climate resilient, develop climate smart agriculture practices, and find innovative ways to improve both energy efficiency and the performance of renewable energies. We can work with countries to roll back harmful fossil fuel subsidies and help put the policies in place that will eventually lead to a stable price on carbon."

 

See the full infographic from the World Bank.

"We are determined to work with countries to find solutions," Kim said. "But, the science is clear. There can be no substitute for aggressive national mitigation targets, and the burden of emissions reductions lies with a few large economies."

The report says sea level rise has been occurring more rapidly than previously projected and a rise of as much as 50 cm by the 2050s may already be unavoidable as a result of past emissions. In some cases, impacts could be felt much earlier. For example, without adaptation measures, sea level rise of 15 cm, coupled with more intense cyclones, threatens to inundate much of Bangkok by the 2030s.

The burgeoning cities of the developing world are identified as some of the places on the planet most at risk from climate change. Describing urban areas as "new clusters of vulnerability," the report says urban dwellers, particularly the urban poor, face significant vulnerability to climate change.

Informal settlements in places like Metro Manila in the Philippines and Kolkata in India concentrate large populations and often lack basic services, such as electricity, sanitation, health, infastructure, and durable housing. In such areas, people are highly exposed to extremen weather events, such as storms and flooding. Extreme heat is also felt more acutely in cities.

Partly in response to the findings of the two Turn Down the Heat reports, the World Bank Group is stepping up its mitigation, adaptation, and disaster risk management work, and will increasingly look at all its business through a "climate lens."

Today, the Bank is helping 130 countries take action on climate change. Last year, it doubled its financial lending that contributes to adaptation. Increasingly, the Bank is supporting action on the ground to finance the kind of projects that help the poor grow their way out of poverty, increase their resilience to climate change, and achieve emission reductions.

[1] 2 degrees Celsius = 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit

[2] 4 degrees Celsius = 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit

You can download the full report here.

South Africa-based Greenpop, a social enterprise that runs urban greening and reforestation projects in sub-Saharan Africa, is on a mission to plant 5000 trees in Zambia. According to their web site, Zambia has the 2nd largest rate of deforestation in the world. This is the second phase of an earlier initiative that saw over 1000 tree planted in one month in the city of Livingstone. The effort is being promoted on the Indiegogo crowd-funding platform where we found Kenya's enterprising wind energy initiative.

The project is seeking $7,500 in funding to make the initiative a reality. Every $15 donated pays for one tree and all associated costs. For those unable to donate financially, and are physically located near Livingstone, Zambia, sign up and donate your time to make this a reality.

Obviously, flying to Zambia is not advised as both the money spent and carbon footprint would far out outweigh any assistance you could give. Consider just donating your entire trip cost to the initiative. Better yet, plant a tree right where you are. After all, the WORLD needs more trees. A study by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) concluded that “to make up for the world’s loss of trees in the past decade, we need to plant about 14 billion trees every year for 10 years in a row.”

Have you planted a tree today?

http://www.indiegogo.com/Trees-for-Zambia

The IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report firmly centered on the reality of human-driven climate change. If we don’t take immediate and tangible steps to reduce the consequences of these actions, we will face an environmental crisis that will have a major impact on mankind’s existence. Here in Tokyo, we are extremely concerned about this danger, as it poses a huge threat to our goal of becoming a sustainable and environmentally-friendly city.

In the year 2030, it is estimated that the number of people living in urban areas will exceed 60 percent of the world’s population, and measures at the city level are now crucial. The effects of climate change are already becoming apparent in a range of forms, and Tokyo is no exception. Tokyo has undertaken several measures to mitigate these effects, including launching the world’s first urban cap-and-trade program. In addition, Tokyo is implementing a number of pioneering initiatives, such as measures to counteract storm surges and floods, as well as major earthquakes, and advancing urban planning to realize a more resilient city.

The IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report firmly centered on the reality of human-driven climate change. If we don’t take immediate and tangible steps to reduce the consequences of these actions, we will face an environmental crisis that will have a major impact on mankind’s existence. Here in Tokyo, we are extremely concerned about this danger, as it poses a huge threat to our goal of becoming a sustainable and environmentally-friendly city.

In the year 2030, it is estimated that the number of people living in urban areas will exceed 60 percent of the world’s population, and measures at the city level are now crucial. The effects of climate change are already becoming apparent in a range of forms, and Tokyo is no exception. Tokyo has undertaken several measures to mitigate these effects, including launching the world’s first urban cap-and-trade program. In addition, Tokyo is implementing a number of pioneering initiatives, such as measures to counteract storm surges and floods, as well as major earthquakes, and advancing urban planning to realize a more resilient city.

At the same time, Tokyo is working with cities all over the world and engaging in a variety of international activities. In this way, Tokyo’s achievements have been introduced to the world, and we are proud to have gained high recognition in reports issued by the World Bank. Of these initiatives, Tokyo’s cap-and-trade program has received especially high praise internationally. In the program’s first year, FY2010, a 13 percent reduction in total CO2 emissions from base-year figures was achieved.

Further reductions were achieved in FY2011 and FY2012, with a 22 percent reduction from base-year figures recorded for both periods. Achievements to date have far surpassed the mandatory 6 or 8 percent reduction rate, producing a significant effect. Tokyo Cap-and-Trade has introduced retrofitting projects backed by vast amounts of investment for energy-saving technologies. Practical examples of which include the installation of LED lights, more efficient heating equipment, and improved day-to-day operational efforts.

[video:https://vimeo.com/95527812]

 

We believe Tokyo’s success is highly reliant on a positive response from various stakeholders, including building owners, developers, tenants and related businesses following our initiatives. A lot of credit needs to go to the facilities under Tokyo Cap-and-Trade, including facility owners and related businesses that responded very positively to the program, resulting in its continued success.

As the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games approach, Tokyo will continue to promote effective energy conservation and CO2 reduction measures in order to resolve climate change related issues and further strengthen energy policies, including greatly expanding the use of renewable energy, with a view to the global environment.

The World Bank’s “Putting a Price on Carbon” statement is very meaningful, as it will become a driving force behind the promotion of effective measures for climate change mitigation. If all of the world’s cities and nations cooperate to implement a variety of well-thought-out programs, promotion of measures for climate change issues will lead to a reduction in CO2 emissions, and even help avoid an eventual global environmental crisis.

As the Governor of Tokyo, a major city advancing innovative climate change mitigation measures, I endorse the World Bank’s “Putting a Price on Carbon” statement and express my full support. Firmly believing that this World Bank initiative will contribute to the sustainable development of the earth’s environment, Tokyo will call for other cities, nations, and companies that share in the same objectives to come together by endorsing this statement.

Today’s youth have been dealt a deadly hand when it comes to the environment and our aging Mother Earth. They must live in a world where the generations before them have polluted the ground they walk on, the oceans that surround them and the air they breath. While some still deny the reality of global warming, climate change is inevitable due to the tremendous increases in carbon dioxide emissions into our atmosphere.

The burning of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) have grown more rapidly between 2000 and 2010 then they have in previous decades. The time to act is long overdue and many are calling for a global consortium to address this growing, toxic concern.

[video:https://vimeo.com/7970557]

 

Spend a little bit of time browsing through the UN's newly launched website for Rio+20, and you begin to see what the future of development looks like. Not only that, you get a glimpse of how important creating a common platform that the world can use to imagine the future of humanity is. Global problems like climate change can be hard to communicate on such a vast scale. Distilling the science in a way that relates to both the learned academic and the casual browser is daunting to think about.

The entrance of telecommunication tools make the task of distilling and dissemination of information a much easier task to accomplish from a global perspective. By creating a common knowledge platform that is available to everyone, local communities are able to absorb, synthesize and localize the knowledge for themselves. Further more, they are able to upstream their local knowledge to a global audience. This experiential exchange of ideas is critical to solving global problems like climate change. True, not everything that works locally can be applied globally. Not all solutions easily bridge the "glocal" dilemma - meaning, local tacit knowledge doesn't always scale or replicate well.

But this is not neccessarily a problem. The key is not in replicating what the solution was for a local community, but rather, how that community approached a particular problem. Process is a central ingredient in successfully upstreaming and sharing of ideas. For example, look at some of the local efficient cook stove solutions that were submitted to our photo/video competition. Alphonse Karenzi's clean cook stove was engineered using locally made materials. His solution reduces the amount of firewood used by up to 85%. While this solution is innovatively applied, the process of getting to that solution is more important. By approaching the problem from a "what can I do here locally to contribute a solution to climate change?" he was able to utilize what was locally available to him. This approach is very much the same way someone in the city, who has access to energy, might use to conserve energy instead of wasting. Two different scenarios, unified by the desire to contribute to a global problem.

The spirit of collective doing is sometimes more effective than whatever solution you are using to solve a particular problem. This is why the UN's Future We Want platform of idea sharing is important to our future. While all the solutions might be different, unique, and varying in their degree of effectiveness, it is that unification of everyone's efforts into one global movement. Sharing is caring, as it were. We all dream about our futures, with grand ideas and visions of a Utopia far different from our present realities. But in order for us to realize those dreams, each of us has to contribute to the whole. What can you do locally to bring the "Future You Want" closer to reality?

With growing populations and increasing impacts from climate change, forward-thinking cities are scrambling to adopt green infrastructure to become more resilient. An entry to our Action4Climate video competition “Climate TV, City Climate” discusses some of the issues cities are facing and how green infrastructure solutions can help a city cope with increased heat and stormwater run-off. Green roofs, green spaces and flood management systems can help cities like Rotterdam manage climate impacts.

[video:https://vimeo.com/103463647]

 

Elsewhere, cities are innovating with renewable energy and resource management systems to yield major reductions in carbon emissions and improved climate resilience. Visionary water utilities are beginning to recognize the tremendous amount of valuable resources that lie in city wastewater. Traditional wastewater treatment is extremely energy intensive; it also generates large volumes of sludge that is typically sent to landfill where it releases significant amounts of greenhouse gas emissions.

In contrast, a process known as bio-digestion considerably lowers a city’s carbon footprint. Bio-digestion harnesses the large amounts of energy stored in municipal wastewater and provides a useful byproduct in the form of a nutrient-rich soil. Overall, this approach contributes to improving air quality for residents, and generates handsome economic savings that can be reinvested in local economies.

The Connect4Climate team was recently invited by DC Water, the water utility serving the city of Washington D.C., to visit a state of the art bio-digestion facility set to come online later this year. The facility is being built on the site of the city’s wastewater treatment plant which treats 370 million gallons (1,400,000 m³) per day. The bio-digester will generate 13 MW of electricity onsite by using the biogas captured from the wastewater sludge. With the wastewater treatment plant currently being the largest user of grid electricity in Washington D.C., the renewable energy generated by the bio-digester will reduce DC Water’s electricity consumption by a third and cut carbon emissions by approximately 50,000 metric tons of CO2e per year. This is equivalent to taking over 10,000 passenger vehicles off the road. It will also save DC Water $10 million annually, with these savings ultimately being passed on to the city’s residents.

Rather than focus on maintaining their license to operate by meeting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s minimum requirements, DC Water is going above and beyond by applying a whole systems approach to wastewater treatment. Besides generating a sizable 13 MW of clean energy, the process will also provide “Class A biosolids”, which is essentially a nutrient rich soil that is fit for agriculture and tree planting. The soil will be used by local farms, reducing the need to apply synthetic fertilizers, known to be highly carbon-intensive to produce. In addition, DC Water has adopted an advanced pretreatment process known as “thermal hydrolysis” which will enhance the efficiency of the biodigester, lowering the volume of soil that is recovered from the wastewater. This will reduce the number of trucks needed to haul the soil away from the plant every day by about half.

Closing the loop, the soil will be used for green infrastructure projects across the city, including tree planting and rain garden projects which will reduce the amount of stormwater runoff reaching the treatment plant. With less wastewater to treat, energy consumption will be further reduced. DC Water has also discovered through scientific research that soil generated from wastewater provides a significant boost to the drought resistance and yields of certain cereal crops such as corn.

For the future, DC Water is considering other renewable energy options to further reduce operating costs and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Indeed, one of the things that struck the Connect4Climate team during the visit was the vast surface area that the wastewater plant covers. Although the 153 acre site (62 hectares) is densely packed with water treatment systems, ample space is available to implement solar power panels. The utility is also exploring the possibility of treating food waste in the biodigester, which would further reduce waste going to landfill and Washington D.C.’s carbon footprint.

"There is no such thing as waste, only wasted resources." - DC Water

I have always had the feeling that my life was lacking in a way. That I was not doing enough of something. Yet, I could not figure out what that something was. It was a void that needed to be filled.

I remember when climate change was only a word to me. I remember when recycling was only a chore to do.

I remember all this so well because it was only fours months ago that I started to care about what climate change actually meant.

My sociology professor, whom I now consider to be a friend, first formally introduced me to the concept of climate change. At first, I thought that climate change was just a part of my sociology class—something that we would be done with after a few classes. However, that was not the case.

After several weeks of discussing the topic, I realized that climate change was more than that to my professor. For him, it was a passion and he felt an obligation to make his students also feel passionate about it.

I come from a country that is considered one of the richest in the world. A country where temperatures rise high enough to cook an egg on the sidewalk. I was raised in Saudi Arabia.

Rachel Kyte with Suleiman Ahmad Allauddin Khan after the screening. Photo: Ivan Bruce

Climate change has never been a topic on the tongues of the students of Saudi Arabia. I cannot recall once ever hearing about climate change from my teachers, friends, classmates or family. This tells me that there is a huge population oblivious to what is happening around the world.

As a country that produces most of the fossil fuel distributed throughout the world, it is no surprise that climate change is never discussed in Saudi Arabia. That would be like admitting that the Saudi government has left a huge carbon footprint.

Since I only had a rudimentary understanding of climate change, I began researching more about it. I came across several talks on the topic by people I had never heard of before. One of them stood out to me. When talking about climate change, this person had a look on her face that I did not see on others. She had a look that was very familiar to me. In no time at all I remembered where I had seen that look before. It was the same look my professor had when he spoke about climate change. It was the look of passion.

This person’s name is Rachel Kyte, who is the World Bank’s principal advocate for raising global awareness of climate change. Ms. Kyte has given many talks about climate change over the years, and is helping inspire a social change in the world. Her speeches are inspirational. I remember thinking, how can I be like this person?

A week later, I was granted an opportunity that comes once in a lifetime. Have you ever wished you had the chance to meet someone and were granted that chance? My professor gave me that chance. He had sent me an invitation to attend the Connect4Climate screening of Years of Living Dangerously at the World Bank. The film was a preview of a new television series on climate change.

I could not believe how lucky I was. I immediately accepted the invitation and on the day of the screening I arrived at the World Bank a little bit ahead of time in the hope that I would be able to talk to Ms. Kyte. Unfortunately, I was not able to find her then. I was ushered to a seat in the auditorium, where I waited eagerly for the talk to begin. I sat straighter than I usually do and became stiff as a board.

While waiting I realized that there are a lot more people than I thought who are interested in the cause as of climate change. I realized that I was not fighting for lost cause. I felt supported.

The event started with World Bank President Jim Yong Kim stating facts about how he and his organization are trying to deal with climate change. After his talk, he invited three people on stage for a discussion about the importance of climate change and what we might expect to happen to the world if nothing is done to combat it. Ms. Kyte was moderator of the discussion.

The film that followed was something that can only be described as a dream. I could not believe what I was watching. It portrayed the world we live in the today, and the catastrophes that are happening all around us because of climate change. The movie contained many famous people who are also interested in the battle against humans’ constant greed, which is killing the very planet we live on.

The movie screening ended with a round of applause from the audience. I on the other hand had a hard time looking up. I was extremely emotional. The movie had a lot of elements that would have made a stonehearted man break down in tears. I managed to compose myself. I was determined to get a word in with Ms. Kyte.

After wriggling myself between reporters, I finally managed to reach her only to be dumbstruck. I had a small speech prepared on how much she has inspired me but was only able to stutter a bit. Somehow, I managed to compose myself and was able to say a few words to her about that. I was also able to pluck up the courage to ask her if she would be photographed with me. She was happy to oblige.

After leaving the auditorium I had a funny feeling in my gut. Walking past a glass window I saw a smile on my face that looked a bit out of place. After a few minutes I was able to put on a more socially acceptable smile.

I made my way to the small feast our hosts had put together for us. I was greeted by my professor and one of my classmates. My professor was also surrounded by two of his former students. As soon as I was introduced to them I felt an instant connection form between us. We shared the same cause and had the same inspiration.

After leaving my professors side I was struck with a new realization. I realized that the people who had attended the screening with me were not only from the U.S. There were people from China, Poland, India, Italy, Ivory, Coast, South Africa and even a fellow Saudi Arabian.

To see that there were people at the event from all over the world helped encourage me to stand firm and pursue my cause for as long as I my bones and muscles will allow me. To see a fellow countryman at the event was evidence enough that these people managed to get the word across the world. More and more people were becoming aware of our cause.

Suddenly I knew what I could do to help. I knew that I had to spread the word, to inspire as many people as I can. I decided that I would take on my professor’s legacy and enlighten the minds of people about the dangers of climate change.

I left the World Bank a new person. I left with a new purpose in life. I left with a cause.

Suleiman Khan is a freshman student at Montgomery College Rockville. He is an international student from Saudi Arabia who is studying medicine. He aspires to be a doctor, more specifically a general surgeon who can help people in third world countries. He is planning to attend University of Maryland within the next year to continue his bachelors degree.

This post was originally shared on EcoWatch.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is releasing its Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) on Friday.

The report is the culmination of more than 800 scientist authors working with more than 9,000 scientific publications on climate change and more than 20,000 comments from 'expert reviewers,' making it the most comprehensive collection of climate change knowledge to-date.

You can watch the livestream of the report's release on September 27th at 8.30am EDT and learn more about climate science, the IPCC, and the AR5 at The Climate Group.