climate change
For Kiribati, adapting to climate change might mean relocating entirely. Pacific islanders’ identities are very much tied to their ancestral land, the physical islands on which they live. Migration may mean a national and cultural loss, especially when most traditions are preserved orally. [...] Anote Tong, former president of Kiribati, advocates for “migrating with dignity.” This policy was designed to give citizens the tools to relocate legally, finding work in other nations like Australia and New Zealand.
This month, I resigned from the State Department’s Foreign Service, stepping down as the senior U.S. diplomat in China and ending a 27-year career. [...] When the administration decided to withdraw from the Paris agreement on climate change, however, I concluded that, as a parent, patriot and Christian, I could not in good conscience be involved in any way, no matter how small, with the implementation of that decision.
Drought in a developing country can mean many things: a lack of water, a lack of food and nutrition, and a lack of economic growth that puts even more pressure on impoverished communities relying on farming for their livelihoods. For women and girls, it also means a lack of protection. [...] But a new initiative in rural northern Kenya turns to technology and members of the community to make the region safer, and put an end to gender-based violence.
Renewable energy, the green economy, and city diplomacy are among this week's headlines.
What is science diplomacy? It is a growing political concept of using science as a means of foreign policy. Foreign policy is no longer exclusively hard diplomacy, but can include the exchange of knowledge, the exchange of scientists, and cooperation between states regarding prevalent science issues. [...] For example, in the Arctic it strengthens cooperation as a whole and serves as a means of deepening cooperation in other fields—what we call a spillover effect.
The launch of a new report capturing youth perspectives on foreign affairs in Canberra says Australia needs a clear vision of global engagement. [...] Politicians and youth leaders assembled in Canberra on Tuesday to launch a report by advocacy network Oaktree outlining a vision for foreign policy. [...] Following consultation with various groups, the report found the global issues young people prioritized were climate change, migration and asylum seeker rights, overseas development assistance and equality.
More than 500 cyclists from both Lao and international organizations gathered on Saturday morning for a cycling event to mark Climate Diplomacy Week in the capital. Held with an aim to raise awareness on the impacts of climate change and advocate for the strongest possible initiatives and actions to mitigate these impacts, the cycling event was organized by European Union (EU) Delegation to Laos with joint support coming from the EU Member States and Lao Cycling Association.
Brown’s upcoming visit to Beijing will focus on keeping up the COP21 Paris accords momentum Trump wants to radically reverse. California’s aggressive stance on pollution controls and environmental standards will be highlighted. The governor wants to make a lasting difference in the world. [...] California’s interest and right to combat climate change and seek China’s support is understandable and has precedent. But what’s in it for China?