IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

Recent news has been dominated by coverage of the volcanic eruption in Iceland and the Oil Spill in the Gulf region, highlighting that whether something is a natural disaster or caused by the actions (or inactions) of people – everyone is ultimately impacted. One can never take for granted the fragile balance that keeps mother earth healthy. Nor can one ignore the evidence that an environmental disaster in one location will affect many other locations. While we wait for governments and multinational to tighten emissions regulations, environmental and corporate responsibility, many citizens of the world are mobilizing to create change at a much speedier pace and broader vision.

One of the most recent initiatives was the World Peoples' Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth held in April in Cochabamba Bolivia . “There are two ways forward: Either save capitalism, or save Mother Earth”, said Bolivian President Evo Morales at a UN Press Conference with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon when discussing the outcomes of the 35,000-strong Cochabamba Conference The proposals from the Conference included a 50% reduction of emissions by developed countries, the payment of climate debt to developing countries, a proposed Universal Declaration on Mother Earth Rights, and a call to replace the destructive and consumerist capitalist system at the root of the climate crisis.

The full text of the draft Declaration on the Rights of Mother Earth is included in this newsletter and is a document well worth the attention of CEESP members. Article 2 articulates the Fundamental rights of Mother Earth , “ Mother Earth has the right to exist, to persist and to continue the vital cycles, structures, functions and processes that sustain all beings.”

CEESP is convening a global Conference in January 2011, Sharing Power: A New Vision for Development, in Whakatane, New Zealand. This event provides an opportunity for participants to share their visions for improved models of development. It will be on a much smaller scale that Cochabamba , but designed to facilitate genuine constructive interaction involving CEESP members and partners, the IUCN Secretariat, Commissions and IUCN Members. I invite all CEESP members to participate in this event. Further information on the Conference can be found in this newsletter, or at: www.ceespsharingpower.org

This newsletter includes many Reports from CEESP members on either CEESP organized or co-organized events, or projects they received funding towards from CEESP. The Commission now operates a contestable fund for projects with applications called for twice a year. Projects must include consultation with relevant Theme Chairs and Regional Vice-Chairs. For further information, contact ceesp@iucn.org

The Editorial comes from discussions within CEESP about the pros and cons of setting targets in international processes – in this specific case targets for protected areas within the CBD process. What does a 15% target mean?

As always, your feedback on this newsletter is welcome as are your contributions for the next edition.

Aroha Te Pareake Mead