Monthly News Bulletin from the Secretariat of Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development (UCSD) - a partner to the East African Sustainability Watch Network that seeks to monitor and advocate for the effective implementation of national and regional obligations to sustainable development in East Africa.
Read about the Government of Sweden's $ 2,766,807 Watchdog grant to SusWatch on a regional Lake Victoria project, Out of Durban, what climate change action did we achieve? and many more here>>>>>>>
By Kimbowa Richard, David M. Mwayafu and Harriet Smith
REDD+ has the potential to address key drivers of global climate change, whilst simultaneously implementing local-scale programmes to address the effects of climate change. However, it is important to stress that climate change is unpredictable and that coping strategies (adaption) must be both encompassing and flexible, to deal with a wide range of cross-sectoral implications.Read Full article here>>>>>>. You can also visit the Redd-net website for more intormation on this link>>>>>
Monthly News Bulletin from the Secretariat of Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development (UCSD) - a partner tothe East African Sustainability Watch Network that seeks to monitor and advocate for the effective implementation of national and regional obligations to sustainable development in East Africa. Read full Bulletin here>>>>>>
Monthly News Bulletin from the Secretariat of Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development (UCSD) - a partner to the East African Sustainability Watch Network that seeks to monitor and advocate for the effective implementation of national and regional obligations to sustainable development in East Africa. Read full Bulletin here>>>>
Cities and Climate change in East Africa: The case of Kampala
By Kimbowa Richard, Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development, 2011
The UN chose the theme Cities and Climate Change because climate change is fast becoming the preeminent development challenge of the 21st century. Indeed, no-one today can really foresee the predicament in which a town or city will find itself in 10, 20 or 30 years time. In this new urban era with most of humanity now living in towns and cities, we must bear in mind that the greatest impacts of disasters resulting from climate change begin and end in cities. Cities too have a great influence on climate change. Read full article here>>>>>>
The potential for Low Carbon Development for agriculture and energy in East Africa
By Harriet Smith, Student Intern at UCSD, September 2011
Low Carbon Development (LCD) is increasingly become a focus of policy debate, however there is no clear understanding of what low carbon growth will look like for developing countries, and there is limited experience and knowledge of appropriate incentives, costs, benefits and available funding. This article explores the potential of LCD in East Africa.Read full article here>>>>>>>>>
Monthly News Bulletin from the Secretariat of Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development (UCSD) - a partner to the East African Sustainability Watch Network that seeks to monitor and advocate for the effective implementation of national and regional obligations to sustainable development in East Africa. Read full Bulletin here>>>>>
The need for REDD+ to coordinate and involve multiple sectors involved in driving deforestation and forest degradataion is becoming increasingly important. To ensure national ownership and political and social sustainability REDD+ will also need to be harmonised with the objectives of other key economic sectors such as agriculture and energy. This policy brief outlines some key policy options that encourage synergies between REDD+ and the agriculture and energy sectors, and their potential socio-economic impacts. Download and read the policy briefs entitled Making REDD+ cross-sectoral: Why, how and what are the potientail socio-economic impacts? and REDD+andAgriculture: a cross-sectoral approach to REDD+ and implications for the poor. More information about REDD-net visite the website here>>>>>
By Harriet Smith, Student Intern at UCSD, August 2011
Recent REDD+ discussions have highlighted the lack of integration between REDD+ and gender. Failure to incorporate gender issues into REDD+ implementation is a risk to REDD+’s long-term sustainability (Gurung et al., 2010), it is therefore imperative that REDD+ not only incorporates specific gender-strategies into project implementation, but adheres to, and works with implementing governments to further strengthen national and regional gender strategies.Read full article here>>>>
Monthly News Bulletin from the Secretariat of Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development (UCSD) - a partner to the East African Sustainability Watch Network that seeks to monitor and advocate for the effective implementation of national and regional obligations to sustainable development in East Africa. Read the full Bulletin here>>>>>>>>>>>>
Monthly News Bulletin from the Secretariat of Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development (UCSD) - a partner to the East AfricanSustainability Watch Network that seeks to monitor and advocate for the effective implementation of national andregional obligations tosustainable development in East Africa. Read the full Bullletin here>>>>>
This case study looks at some early experiences and lessons from a benefit sharing regime in a Collaborative Forest management (CFM) project in Uganda under the Nile Basin Reforestation Project. It is implemented by Uganda’s National Forestry Authority (NFA) in partnership with a local Community Based Organization (RECPA). The reforestation project consists of five small-scale Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects being implemented in the Rwoho Forest Reserve in South Western Uganda. The case study outlines the benefit sharing arrangements under the project as well as highlighting lessons for the design of REDD+ benefit sharing mechanisms. Read the a detail case study here>>>>>>>
Monthly News Bulletin from the Secretariat of Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development (UCSD) - a partner to the East African Sustainability Watch Network that seeks to monitor and advocate for the effective implementation of national and regional obligations to sustainable development in East Africa. Read the full Bulletin here>>>>>>
World Environment Day 2011: Charcoal production is fast endangering East African’s forests
By Kimbowa Richard, Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development
On the eve of this Year’s World Environment Day 2011 on Forests: Nature at Your Service, Kimbowa Richard, discusses charcoal production as a form of degradation that needs urgent attention from private land owners who hold a huge part of Uganda’s forest estate to Government, and private entities.Read full article here>>>>>
Last month, The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Committee on Committee on Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources solicited views of the public on the East African Community Transboundary Ecosystems Management Bill (2010). This Act seeks to provide for the management and regulation of transboundary ecosystems of the East African Community, to establish a commission for the management of transboundary ecosystems and to provide for other related matters. UCSD attended one meeting and provided its comments on this Bill, read here.
Monthly News Bulletin from the Secretariat of Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development (UCSD) - a partner to the East African Sustainability Watch Network that seeks to monitor and advocate for the effective implementation of national and regional obligations to sustainable development in East Africa. Read the full Bulletin here>>>>>>
Monthly News Bulletin from the Secretariat of Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development (UCSD) - a partner to the East African Sustainability Watch Network that seeks to monitor and advocate for the effective implementation of national and regional obligations to sustainable development in East Africa. Read the full Bulletin here>>>>>>>
Benefit sharing in the Trees for Global Benefit (TGB) Initiative - Bushenyi District (Uganda)
The case study examines benefit sharing arrangements in place under the Trees for Global Benefit Initiative in Bushenyi District (Uganda), a Plan Vivo project. Trees for Global Benefits (TGB) initiative one of Plan Vivo’s projects, has been designed as a cooperative, community-based carbon offset scheme which emphasizes sustainable land-use practices and also contains livelihood components. In Plan Vivo projects participants undertake project activities in return for a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) that acts as an incentive for conservation. Participants receive staged payments for carrying out activities that generate ecosystem services (carbon sequestration), measured in tonnes of carbon. The case study highlights lessons from this project for the design of REDD+ benefit sharing systems, particularly in East Africa. Read the full case study here>>>>>>
Issues and options for benefit sharing in REDD + in East Africa: A case study of Mount Elgon Regional Conservation Programme
This case study shares some early experiences and lessons for REDD+ benefit sharing from the Mount Elgon Regional Conservation Programme (MERECP). The MERECP distributes benefits based on the contribution of communities towards enhancement of natural and planted forests. It uses an innovative benefit distribution system, known as community revolving funds (CRFs). CRF is one way of economically empowering households to deal with poverty while conserving ecosystems. It is one approach to conservation that is different from merely giving community money in the form of grants or donations which may end up being misused. This case study provides lessons for benefit sharing under REDD+ schemes, particularly those of a transboundary nature given the varied stakeholders and interests involved. Read the detailed case study of experiences and lessons for REDD+ benefit sharing from the Mount Elgon Regional Conservation Programmehere >>>>>>>
Only this week (March 14 – 17) prior to the World Water Day, many parts of Kampala have gone through a major water shortage due to power cuts. By coincidence, the 22 March, 2011 World Water Day theme “Water for Cities: responding to the urban challenge,” aims to highlight the negative consequences of rapid urban population growth, industrialization, conflicts, natural disasters and the uncertainties caused by climate change on sustainable urban water systems, management and quality. For Kampala, this theme is relevant and actually reminds Government, Corporate, citizens and groups, media and other stakeholders of the huge task ahead. But how can a steady clean and safe water supply (source) happen alongside an effective ‘sink’ when only Lake Victoria handles both tasks? Read the full Article here>>>>>
A Case Study of local initiatives around Lake Wamala basin (Uganda)
Lake Wamala is one of the freshwater bodies located in Central Uganda. Associated with several rivers and wetlands including River Katonga that drains into Lake Victoria, this Lake is of historical, ecological, economic and socio-cultural significance. Unfortunately, its size has shrunk to half its original size during the 1990s (UNEP, 2009). In addition to human-induced activities, climate variability / change per is reported to be a cause of this. For example, UNEP (2009) reported that this shallow lake’s levels have fluctuated with changes in precipitation through the recent decades. Find a UCSD Case Study on Lake Wamala made at a recent International Course on Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) in Agriculture and Natural Resources Management held in Kampala here>>>>>
Monthly News Bulletin from the Secretariat of Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development (UCSD) - a partner to the East African Sustainability Watch Network that seeks to monitor and advocate for the effective implementation of national and regional obligations to sustainable development in East Africa.Read Full Bulletin here>>>>>>>
Monthly News Bulletin from the Secretariat of Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development (UCSD) - a partner to the East African Sustainability Watch Network that seeks to monitor and advocate for the effective implementation of national and regional obligations to sustainable development in East Africa.
Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation and, the role of conservation, sustainable forest management and enhancement of carbon stocks in developing countries (REDD+) is one of the key mechanisms for addressing climate change that is being debated at the international level. Efforts are under way in East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda) to develop the REDD+ strategies and some REDD+ pilot projects are already being implemented. It is important to understand more about ‘carbon rights’ in the region. Forest and tree tenure – in all three countries where most forests are under the management of the state implies that securing local communities’ tenure rights and their access to benefit sharing mechanisms will be critical in REDD+.
The concept of carbon rights is still new in the three countries and it is yet to be understood by many of the stakeholders involved in REDD+. Moreover, none of the countries yet has a policy and legal framework that incorporates carbon rights. This bulletin examines the implementation of carbon rights, looking at examples from East Africa. Read more information here>>>>>
By David Mwayafu - Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development (UCSD)
During the boundary demarcation, many people were caught in the park, what UWA did was to evict these people, destroying their crops with many ending up as destitute/ landless – left with no homes. This spread all the way from the Sabin land up to Bumbo on the border with Kenya. Several homes were put down, unfortunately, the government never compensated even a single person,this was because of the belief held by the government and UWA thought that trees are more important than people – chasing away people was seen as being ok so as to look after trees – this was the genesis of the whole crisis. Read Full article on how the crisis led to a collaborative forest management in Mount Elgon National Park.
Yozu Island in Kazunzu Ward - Sengerema Ward in the Lake region of Tanzania is very small – about five (5) football playgrounds with a population of between 2,500 to 4,500 people doing different activities. There are seasons when Dagaa/ Silver fish become plenty and this number swells to 7,500 people. However, there is a drastic decline in tree and grass cover that is accelerating soil erosion resulting in siltation of Lake Victoria. For example, burning and breaking stones is taking place while unplanned building / constructions with no latrines and bathrooms continue to be put up. Read More here...........
By David Mwayafu, Programme Officer – Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development, (UCSD).
The prospects for effective REDD+ in East Africa are intricately tied to issues of tenure and rights. In addition to the particular challenge of rights to trees outside forest reserves, carbon rights are a key bone of contention; not well understood. How carbon rights can be legally defined, and how they will relate tounderlying land and timber rights, can be expected to play a determining role in public attitudes to REDD+, and to payments linked to carbon in particular. Read more here>>>>>>>>
Fundraising is about being ready and not to miss opportunities. Therefore, do not wait for a public call for proposals in a newspaper or be surprised by an immediate deadline on the internet that is likely to be missed due to lack of time. Be prepared and keep a file with concept papers derived from ideas that arise and the needs of the organisation. It pays off to be ready when the opportunity calls.More funding opportunities here>>>>
There are some important values that you have to inculcate, and develop first, before you can venture in the process of using these young people. Environmental conservation and climate change campaigns are not so interesting, not so paying and so may not interest a group of high school or University students unless you enhance the following values and principles among them. Read more here>>>>>
Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development (UCSD) and Fairfood International signed a Partnership Agreement on August 12, 2010. The Agreement was signed by the Chairman of UCSD, Mr Nicholas Senyonjo and Diogo Pereira da Silva (Fairfood International’s Project Leader Sector Analysis.
Through this Partnership Agreement , the two institutions have an overall joint objective to develop and share knowledge, where the activities include building knowledge based on information already existing in both organizations, and keeping each other informed on relevant developments and initiatives in areas of focus that are common to both partners.
UCSD and Fairfood International also pledged to support each other’s mission and objectives and to evaluate at least once a year this partnership in order to strengthen it further. Read more here>>>>>
Maternal, infant/child and new born health are key indicators of level of development of the people. In Africa, great strides have been made to promote good health for mothers and children. However, we have not reached there. It is unacceptable that one woman dies every minute duringn pregnancy and childbirth when proven interventions exist as compared before, when delivery was carried out traditionally. Millions of lives are at stake, and we must act now.Read full information on efforts to prevent maternal deaths here>>>>>>
UCSD participated in a Civil Society meeting organized by the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) on July 20, 2010 and signed up a joint petition to the 15th Summit of the African Union (that is taking place in Kampala 19 - 27July, 2010 under the theme “Maternal, Infant and Child Health and Development in Africa”). Among others, African CSOs call on Ministers and Heads of State and Government to express commitment to place women and children at the centre of concern and at the forefront of action for climate justice; and to ensure establishment of a CS Fund under the Conference of Parties that can ensure the effective and non-discriminatory participation of African CSOs in reversing the impact of climate change. Read full petition here>>>>>
By Juvenary E. A Matagili, Fishers Union Organization (FUO), 2010
Action is particularly needed on small islands whose trees have been cut and grass burnt to expose stones for providing surfaces for sun drying of dagaa (Mukene / Omena/ silverfish). The authorities have laws that spell out seasons for fishing, areas for farming and for water collection. However, implementation is very poor. The time has come for the change in removing all the wrongs, by involving communities and civil society organizations in raising more awareness and sensitization of the public about the importance of conserving the environment, existing laws and policies and the implications of their acts to the entire Lake Victoria. Read Juvenary's opinion call for action on pollution and degradation facing Sengerema District,Tanzania.
Waste is a man-made substance in a given time and places which in actual structure and state is not useful to the owner and/or is an output without an owner and purpose. Waste may be in solid or liquid states. Waste includes all items that people no longer have any use for, which they either intend to get rid of or have already discarded. Additionally, wastes are such items which people are require to discard, for example by lay because of their hazardous properties. Many items can be considered as waste e.g., household rubbish, sewage sludge, wastes from manufacturing activities, packaging items, discarded cars, old televisions, garden waste, old paint containers etc. Thus all our daily activities can give rise to a large variety of different wastes arising from different sources.Read full article on how plastic wastes are a grave and how recycling can be of great benefit to our economy here>>>>>>.
In an effort to make its training accessible to a larger international audience, The Centre for Sustainable Development is inexpensively offering key courses—online—on adapting to climate change, food security, project design, community participation, and funding.
A module of the two most popular courses is being offered online in July, 2010: OL 101. From the Ground Up: Designing Community-Centered Projects with Sustainable Solutions from July 6 – August 30, 2010 (8 Weeks) and OL102. Project Architecture: Planning for Impact from July 13 – August 30, 2010 (6 Weeks).
Course OL101enables participants to gain an insight into contemporary methods of developing community-centered, impact-oriented projects. Participants will leave the course with practical field tools and develop a range of skills: needs assessments, project design, community workshops, and discovering evidence-based project activities. The course is designed to be used as a vehicle for participants to develop a real project, in real time, during the course.
In Course OL102, participants will take the project concept developed in OL 101 and transform it with a powerful set of management tools into a project for presenting to donors. Log frames, detailed budgets, schedules and compelling fact sheets: these tools will communicate to donors, staff, and stakeholders exactly what one is going to accomplish, and lead the effective management of the project once funded.
Water is a key to development in many dimensions. It is an essential element for human survival and the combination of safe drinking water, adequate sanitation and hygiene is recognized as fundamental to human wellbeing. Water is also essential for food security, for the environment, and for sustainable development.Read more about water and sanitation challenges and how to reach the targets here>>>>>>>>>>>
Climate change is contemporarily the most important global environmental challenge, predicted to have severe impact on poor and already vulnerable rural communities in the South (UNEP 2009). Forests play an essential role in current climate change. The present high deforestation and degradation rate is measured to account for 17 % of the world’s total annual anthropogenic CO2 emissions (IPCC 2007).Read full article on Climat Change impacts and the coping mechanisms here>>>>>>>>>
In this article “How is East Africa responding to climate change challenges?” by Fatema Rajabali of ELDIS-Institute of Development Studies shares her opinion and interviews she conducted during the 3rd International Scientific Conference on Climate Change and Natural Resource Use, organized by the Ecological Society of Eastern Africa in May 19-21, 2010, Nairobi Kenya. Among, those interviewed, was Mr. David Mwayafu, the REDD-net coordinator for Africa on ‘How can REDD work for Africa?’. Read more information about Fatema’s opinions and interviews conducted on the ELDLIS Community blog/website here>>>>>>>
In this article Erin Litzow from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service shares her opinion as an undergraduate student from the United States, after conducting research regarding the current operating status of the BMUs on Uganda’s section of Lake Victoria between March – April 2010.Read full article here>>>>>>
World Environment Day 2010: Declining biodiversity in Lake Victoria and the potential for Civil Society action under LVEMP II.
The World Environment Day (WED) that is commemorated on 5 June annually is one of the principal vehicles through which the UN stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and encourages political attention and action. Read full article here>>>>>>>>>
East African SusWatch Network presentation at the 4th Annual Civil Society Organizations’ Forum
East African SusWatch Network presentation at the 4th Annual Civil Society Organizations’ Forum on the EAC held at the Snowcrest Hotel - Arusha, Tanzania. By Kimbowa Richard, Regional Facilitator. Read the full presentation here>>>>>.
Beach Management Units as Co-management Institutions for Lake Victoria Fisheries: Milestone or Mirage?
The Partner States of the East African Community (EAC) adopted fisheries co-management in their national fisheries policies and, together as the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO), are implementing the approach on Lake Victoria through Beach Management Units (BMUs). These have since become the foundation of fisheries co-management in East Africa, working with local and national government, the private sector processing industry and non-governmental organizations.
However, BMU practice in the three countries is different from the above policy, as evidenced by the serious decline in the Nile Perch stocks in 2009 and the continued presence of illegal methods of fishing (LVFO, 2009). As part of the World Fisheries Day 2009, the East African SusWatch network and ECOVIC Uganda Chapter organized this One - day Seminar that brought together BMU representatives and CSOs from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania to share experience with LVFO and the Uganda National Fisheries Resources and Research Institute (NaFIRRI) at Brisk Recreation Center in Jinja (Uganda) on November 24, 2009. Find a presentation from LVFO Overview of the Mandate, Structures, Challenges and Proposals for their strengthening and improvement of BMUs and alsoA presentation from NaFIRRI on Uganda’s experiences with BMUs.
After a training course on East African Community Integration that took place from 9th -13th, November, 2009 in Nairobi Kenya, it provided an opportunity for the six East African Suswatch Network participants to express commitment to the activities of East African Community agenda and to collectively implement the actions envisaged in the EAC Treaty and protocol as provided in their Communiqué’ on East African Community Integration. Read the full communiqué’ here>>>>>
UCSD News Bulletin October 2009 Monthly News Bulletin from the Secretariat of Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development (UCSD) Rio and beyond……
Statement from Kisum Declaration from the 2nd Annual Lake Victoria Basin Stakeholders Forum held at Tom Mboya Labour College, Kisumu Kenya, 27th-28th October, 2009: Read the full Declaration here>>>>>>
East African Sustainability Watch Network Presentation
East African Sustainability Watch Network Presentation to the 2nd Lake Victoria Basin Stakeholder’s Forum, Tom Mboya Labour College –Kiisumu (Kenya), October 27 – 28, 2009. Read the full presentation here>>>>>>
A Civil Society Reflection on the Housing situation in the Lake Victoria Basin
In view of this year’s World Habitat Day theme, the East African SusWatch Network commissioned a rapid assessment study in August 2009. This study was carried out to highlight the status of the housing situation in the fast growing / secondary towns in the Lake Victoria basin, aimed at reawakening political and other stakeholders’ interest to take actions to address the housing gap as an obligation (more so from a human rights perspective). Read the full information here>>>>>>.
World Habitat Day
The United Nations has designated the first Monday of October every year as World Habitat Day. The idea is to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right of all to adequate shelter. It is also intended to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat. The United Nations chose the theme Planning our urban future to raise awareness of the need to improve urban planning to deal with new major challenges of the 21st century. Read more also on the World Habitat Day here>>>>>
Seal the Deal! is a powerful new campaign by the UN Campaign on Climate Change, to encourage Governments to agree on a fair, balanced and effective climate agreement when they meet in Copenhagen in December 2009. Appreciating the challenges most of our African countries experience accessing internet only a few East Africans have signed up to date!:,the UN has asked UCSD through the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) to facilitate sign up on the printed out petition forms in Uganda, that will be sent back to the UN for entry into the online system. Support Seal the deal! for your future and the world we leave for our children!
And remember “Climate change affects us all, but it does not affect us all equally. The poorest and most vulnerable – those who have done the least to contribute to global warming – are bearing the brunt of the impact.” - UN Secretary General - Ban Ki moon
This is an International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, 16 September 2009, Theme for 2009: "Universal participation: Ozone protection unifies the world"
This theme is intended to celebrate the fact that the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol are the most widely ratified multilateral environmental agreements to date
September 16 every year is observed as “World Ozone Day”. The celebration of this day is made to pay our homage to the Ozone layer, which saves our earth from the harmful ultra-voilet radiation of the Sun. The life on the Earth, depends on the energy provided by the Sun in the form of various radiations. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and governments around the world are preparing to celebrate two key milestones on the road to recovery for the world’s stratospheric ozone layer: the Montreal Protocol and the Vienna Convention.
Although levels of ozone depleting substances in the stratosphere now seem to be at or near their peak, the ozone layer will remain particularly vulnerable during the next decade or so. People must therefore be reminded to protect themselves and their children against the increased ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth’s surface, which can cause skin cancer, cataracts and other illnesses. Ozone affects climate, and climate affects ozone. Temperature, humidity, winds, and the presence of other chemicals in the atmosphere influence ozone formation, and the presence of ozone, in turn, affects those atmospheric constituents.Read more about the Ozone day here>>>>>
Ecological sanitation – An option to managing human excreta in Kampala’s slums
By Charles Bamanya, UCSD
The increasing population density in the slums, inadequate space and the swampy nature of Kampala has necessitated the need for more ecological sanitation (ecosan) toilets as use of pit latrines and flush toilets alone cannot provide slum dwellers with a clean and hygienic environment. Ecological sanitation is an approach to human excreta disposal that aims at recycling nutrients back into the environment as a way of turning them in to more productive systems, provides an option for Kampala’s urban poor / slum areas. Read full article on Ecological sanitaion in Kampala's slums here
Climate change adaptation: Do Ugandan women have a role?
By Patience Nyangoma, UCSD
To date, Climate change is the single greatest environmental threat to life on earth. It not only impacts on our environment physically and economically, it also affects us socially and culturally. We need therefore to prioritize activities that respond to our urgent and immediate needs to adapt to climate change. Read more here>>>>>
Climate change adaptation: Do Ugandan women have a role?
By Patience Nyangoma, UCSD
To date, Climate change is the single greatest environmental threat to life on earth. It not only impacts on our environment physically and economically, it also affects us socially and culturally. We need therefore to prioritize activities that respond to our urgent and immediate needs to adapt to climate change. Read more here>>>>>
Opinion on President Jakaya M. Kikwete’s speech
Opinion on President Jakaya M. Kikwete’s speech to the First Meeting of the Third Session of the East African Legislative Assembly, August 7, 2009 in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania).By Kimbowa Richard, UCSD / East African Sustainability Watch Network, Read the full opinion here>>>>>>
The way forward, for Uganda’s forest resources in view of the country’s economy.
By Charles Bamanya. UCSD.
Despite the key role forests play to the economy of the country, the country’s forest resources continue to be degraded at an alarming rate. A study undertaken by the National Forestry Authority in 2008 indicates that Uganda’s forest cover reduced by an area of 17%between 1990 and 2005. Read full article>>>>>>
International Day of the World's Indigenous People
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous People ( this year will be observed at United Nations Headquarters in New York on Monday 10 August). The theme of the observance at UN Headquarters will be Indigenous peoples and HIV/AIDS. The goal of this day is to strengthen international cooperation for the solution of problems faced by indigenous people in such areas as culture, education, health, human rights, the environment, and social and economic development. Read more here>>>>>>
Long term organisational sustainability is vital for the success of UCSD and its members. An important part of organisational sustainability to reduce the dependency of one source of funding hence, become less vulnerable and self-determining. Here are funding Opportunities & Organizations
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UCSD News Bulletin June 2009 Monthly News Bulletin from the Secretariat of Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development (UCSD) Rio and beyond……
World Day to Combat Desertification 2009: Conserving land and water = Securing our common future.
The 2009 World Day to Combat Desertification that falls on Wednesday June 17 represents an opportunity to reinforce the message that desertification is not a fatality, that solutions exist, and that it can be effectively tackled through strengthened community participation and cooperation at all levels. Country Parties and civil society organizations are invited to organize events to mark the World Day to Combat Desertification to help raise awareness of the problem and to encourage as broad a public as possible to become actively involved in finding solutions.
The statistics speak for themselves: over 250 million people are directly affected by the degradation of the dryland environment, and one billion are at risk; over 110 countries have drylands that are potentially at risk; 70 per cent of drylands used for agriculture are already degraded. In addition, failing policies and climatic change are putting more pressure than ever on the soil. When secure water and food supplies cannot be guaranteed, people frequently migrate to areas where they believe they can find them. It is projected that for the period leading up to the year 2050 there will be 200 million environmentally induced migrants. Read more about here
Lake Victoria Wetlands Under Stress.
By Caroline Achieng, Lake Victoria Sunbirders (Kisumu)
Wetlands provide various socio-economic functions and values to the communities namely: being a home to endemic bird species which can only be found in the swamps along Lake Victoria (for example the Papyrus yellow warbler that is globally threatened, The Papyrus Gonolek, The Carruther’s Cisticola, and the Papyrus Canary). The also act as buffer zones for control of likely floods, as natural filters and as a breeding ground for fish. In addition, wetlands are water reservoirs, while providing income through established cottage industry and nature-based tourism. Read more about the challenges faced by Lake Victoria wetlands
National Consultative Meeting between Ugandan Civil Society Organizations and the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC). Held on April 30, 2009 at Hotel Triangle - Kampala Uganda. Read the full report here>>>>
World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated on June 5 every year and has been celebrated since 1972. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly to commemorate the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. In case you had a planned activity towards the WED 2009 here is the planned theme and the venue for the event that will take place next month June 5, 2009 in Kayunga District. Read more about the program, theme amaong others.
Charts & Maps for Mapping a Better Future
A mapping project has brought together information about poverty and wetlands in Uganda, showing how different environmental policies can help bolster the economy in various parts of the country. The maps appear as part of a new report, Mapping a Better Future: How Spatial Analysis Can Benefit Wetlands and Reduce Poverty in Uganda, produced by the World Resources Institute (WRI) in collaboration with Uganda’s Wetlands Management Department, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, and the International Livestock Research Institute. Read more about the mapping project.
The United Nations proclaimed 22 May International Day for Biological Diversity (IBD) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues and to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity.The theme for the International Day on Biological Diversity (IBD) in 2009 is invasive alien species (IAS). IAS constitute one of the greatest threats to biodiversity, and to the ecological and economic well-being of Earth and its inhabitants.
From 20-24 April, 2009, Indigenous representatives from the Arctic, North America, Asia, Pacific, Latin America, Africa, Caribbean and Russia met in Anchorage, Alaska for the Indigenous Peoples’ Global Summit on Climate Change. Read the full Declaration here>>>>>
Avoiding water scarcity: Conserve, Recycle and Protect water resources
By Grace Baalikowa, Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development
Water is essential for all socio-economic development and for maintaining healthy ecosystems. As population increases and development calls for increased allocations of groundwater and surface water for the domestic, agriculture and industrial sectors, the pressure on water resources intensifies, leading to tensions, conflicts among users, and excessive pressure on the environment. The increasing stress on freshwater resources brought about by ever rising demand and wasteful use, as well as by growing pollution worldwide, is of serious concern.Read more about Avoiding water scarcity>>>>>>>
