weLOG #16🌏Big News For Forests!!

You have most likely heard of COP.

Yes, the huge conference focusing on matters related to climate change.

Some big decisions were made there this month and that’s what we’re going to dive into.

So what is COP anyway?

It’s the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties.

We just had the 26th summit where leaders of the world gathered and committed to certain actions to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees.

This time around, forests received A LOT of attention.

One of the biggest outcomes for forests has been the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use which over 140 countries committed to!

What’s the declaration about? - to end deforestation and land degradation by 2030.

Now, that’s some serious commitment!

There’s quite a bit of conversation online about whether this year’s COP gathering has moved us forward or if it was a failure.

For more on that, check the Around the World section below where Kenny explores this further.

Of course, commitments are important. And YET, what’s arguably more important is the action that follows. We’re yet to see how the decisions made will be implemented.

I’m hopeful and equally skeptical of big words, as globally, we continue falling short on the Paris Agreement commitments and actions. As we wait and see what comes out from COP26, we all hold the power to take that action where WE, individually, can.

Speaking of taking action, as you may have read in the previous weLOG, we have quite a bit going on - exciting collaborations that are already bearing fruit and several ones we’re currently working on and will most definitely share about when the time comes! Stay tuned! :D

Today, a few words from Ian about a seed that was planted a few months ago and has grown into a full-fledged project within weMORI.

NFT UNIVERSE - HERE WE COME!

by Ian

There’s a moonshot special project at weMORI called HYPER TREE.

It’s what we understand to be the world’s first NFT digital art gallery devoted to conservation.

50% of proceeds from artworks go to conservation / restoration projects. The gallery is called HYPER TREE and it’s launching soon. We hope for December.

The Instagram is live already, though!

Even people who aren’t close followers of crypto / blockchain might have seen the word NFT floating around their social media feed.

Well, long story short, we’re trying to ‘hack’ the momentum in the NFT digital art market and generate funds for conservation projects.

Some people who are in-the-know might have heard that blockchain technologies have a HUGE carbon footprint. That’s true for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, which use a mechanism called proof of work.

Our NFT gallery will most likely run on a blockchain technology called Tezos, that is at the epicenter of the #cleanNFTs movement. It runs on a proof of stake mechanism, and the footprint is less than a % of Bitcoin or Ethereum.

Art for the planet!

AROUND THE WORLD 🌏

by Kenny

YOU BREAK IT, YOU BUY IT

Natural disasters have always existed, that is not a thing of late. However, the frequency and severity of these disasters have undeniably intensified and unfortunately, developing countries tend to suffer the most. Extreme weather conditions, be it flooding or droughts have a lasting impact and only further exacerbates the financial hardships faced by those in developing countries. Have we done enough to support efforts to mitigate climate change or are we simply just putting forward ideas without backing them?

Well, our actions have certainly caught up with us and developing countries with significantly less resources are at a complete disadvantage. But were these developing countries significant contributors to their current state or are they suffering at the hands of others? Who is to bear the brunt of the cost of climate change? Who owes the money?

It’s believed that this answer is simple. Just look back at where carbon emissions come from. Western countries in their desire for development have unwittingly contributed to our current state. “American suburbs in the 1950s are doing just as much damage as the CO2 pumping out of Chinese smokestacks today.”

Do you agree?

If so, how can we get those responsible to accept this and double their efforts to help stabilize things for all? Should the old adage of “you break it, you buy it” be applied here? Regardless of which side you’re on, one thing is certain, something must be done now and it requires international collaboration.

Further reading

SEA OTTERS, FURRY FIGHTERS OR SEQUESTRATION SUPERHEROES?

Our furry friends, the sea otters, were once hunted for their fur. But now, they are being lauded as fighters of climate change and carbon sequestration superheroes. The sea otters are massive eaters and this quality plays a key role in maintaining kelp forests ecosystems, as well as protecting seagrass. So much so that they are viewed as “keystone” species. These sea creatures do not just preserve their ecosystems, but when all the parts come together can create a significant carbon sink. It is reported that stowing away even 1% of kelp in the deep sea in specific areas is enough to offset the emissions of 100, 000 combustion-powered automobiles. Our furry friends may just be one of the ways to tackle the climate crisis and eat their way into climate change.

Further reading

COP26 – SUCCESS OR FAILURE?

The global climate crisis is like an unconquerable mountain and one riddled with extreme challenges but we can climb it together. There have been mixed reviews on the success of the recently held UN climate summit in Glasgow, but steps are being taken in the right direction. Do we wish for a more aggressive stance on certain issues? Absolutely. But as Lao Tzu is quoted as saying “the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” Two steps and possibly potent suggestions came out of COP26 and could be monumental in the years ahead if full support is given all round. One step is the move towards deforestation by empowering Indigenous people and local communities (IPLCs) and the other is focusing on removing methane from the atmosphere, not just to cut methane emission. In what may surprise many, more than 40 countries explicitly agreed to reduce the use of coal, and the United States and China have also pledged to boost climate cooperation in the decade ahead. SO, was COP26 a success or failure? I leave that to you to decide. But, let’s see what we can achieve as we try to take steps towards a common goal together. Further reading: Hope old and new: COP26 focused on two largely unsung climate solutions COP26 closes with ‘compromise’ deal on climate, but it’s not enough, says UN chief COP26: What was agreed at the Glasgow climate conference?

Thanks so much for sticking around! :)

Till next time, dear friends!

Joanna Arai