GEF 5TH ASSEMBLY HELD IN CANCUN, MEXICO FROM MAY 25TH--30TH 2014

Ministers of Environment , NGOs, CSOs of which Carbon Credit Network of Nigeria is one , from over 190 Nations of the World gathered in Cancun Mexico from 25^th May -30^th May to deliberate on actions to be taken to stem Climate Change which is a phenomenon on the rise.

 Yours truly was there live to give you updates on activities carried on by GEF which operates as a financial mechanism for implementing the following international conventions:

•  United Nations Framework Convention On  Climate Change (UNFCCC)
•  Convention On Biological Diversity
•  The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
•  United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

WHAT IS GEF?

The Global Environment Facility(GEF) unites over 183 countries --in partnership with International  institutions, Nongovernmental  Organizations (NGOs), and the private sector---to address global environmental issues. An independent  financial organization, the GEF provides grants to developing counties and countries with economies in transition for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and Persistent Organic Pollutants.

These projects benefit the global environment, linking local, national, and global environmental challenges, and promoting sustainable livelihoods.

According to the CEO and Chairperson, Global Environment Facility (GEF),  Dr. Naoko Ishii ,this fundamental conclusion on the rise is supported overwhelmingly  by scientific evidence, as well as increasingly by everyday observations and experiences of people from all works of life, all over the world !!!

Empirical evidence points to a myriad of ways in which increasing concentrations  of greenhouse gases(GHGs) in the atmosphere affect human and natural systems—through rising temperatures, more frequent and more intense extreme weather events, water scarcity, reduced agricultural output, higher prices of food( as well as other goods and services),outbreaks of vector-borne diseases, damage and destruction of infrastructure, and loss of life and livelihoods.

Moreover, this is happening at a time in history when human activity is inflicting unprecedented pressure on our ever-diminishing natural capital. As the worlds population approaches 9 billion in size, of which over 1 billion will be middle class consumers, it is more than ever before our common responsibility to respect the vital linkages between environment and sustainable development.