New steps to tackle climate change

From December 1 to 14, leaders and environmental experts from around the world gathered in Peru’s capital Lima for the 20th session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC). The goal of the Lima Conference was to agree on measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thus addressing climate change.

The release of greenhouse gases into the earth’s atmosphere and the resulting consequences of climate change are widespread and complex. They not only continue to threaten the lives and livelihoods of billions across the world, but also harm the ability of the future generations to survive on this planet. Destruction of natural resources, burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, among others, to meet the needs of the growing population and rapid development, has made climate change an urgent issue of our time.

In an effort to fight climate change, the Lima Conference called on members of 196 countries present to set up national commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This will set the foundation for a new climate action agreement harnessing action by all countries that will be finalized and signed by world leaders in 2015 in Paris. This agreement will come into operation in 2020 setting limits to reduce overall global emissions that will keep the earth’s temperature inside a safe range.

Furthermore, with as many as 13 million hectares of forests lost each year around the world, the conference identified the need to address deforestation to combat climate change. As part of this effort, countries pledged to plant 20 million hectares of trees to restore degraded forest land, reducing emissions, improving farming and eliminating poverty.

Did you know that protecting the natural environment and helping people move out of poverty are at the heart of what we do at Quest4Change? We believe these efforts will bring positive economic, social and environmental changes in the communities we work with.

In Peru’s Manu region, we work with our project partners, crees, to rehabilitate abandoned land cleared for farming, helping local communities to improve income and well-being through eco-friendly ventures, while also protecting the Peruvian Amazon.

In Manu, our project partners are also training the next generation of rainforest ambassadors.

In Bolivia, we work together with Communidad Inti Wara Yassi to protect, rehabilitate and where possible re-release into the wild animals rescued from inhumane captivity.

We believe that working with communities to protect the natural environment and species is key in contributing to efforts of sustainable development