Digital Tools: Connecting Smallholder Farmers with Smart, Sustainable Solutions
Earth System Governance — a global research alliance, is the largest social science research network in the area of governance and global environmental change. The Earth System Governance research alliance takes up the challenge of exploring political solutions and novel, more effective governance mechanisms to cope with the current transitions in the biogeochemical systems of the planet. The normative context of this research is sustainable development; earth system governance is not only a question of institutional effectiveness but also of political legitimacy and social justice.
The Earth System Governance Project is a core project of Future Earth.
Read more about the Earth System Governance Science Plan and Research Agenda.
Background
Since prehistoric times, humans have altered their local environment. Beginning about a century ago, they are altering their planet. More and more parameters of the earth system are changing due to human influences. The scientific knowledge about the earth system and its current transformation becomes more confident every day. Humans now seem to influence all biological and physical systems of the planet. The entire earth system now operates well outside the normal state exhibited over the past 500,000 years. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop better governance mechanisms and institutions at all levels to cope with this emerging earth system transformation.
Yet it is apparent that the institutions, organizations, and governance mechanisms by which humans currently regulate their relationship with the natural environment and global biochemical systems are not only insufficient. They are also poorly understood. More fundamental and applied research on the global, national and local institutions and governance systems is therefore needed. This research must address all levels of policy-making and cut across many sectors. It must be about the people who are drivers of global environmental change and at the same time part of any solution. It must be about places in all their variety and diversity, yet seek to integrate place-based research in a global understanding of the overall challenge to steer human interaction vis-à-vis earth system transformation. Eventually, this research will need to be about our planet. It is the task of developing integrated systems of governance, from the local to the global level, that ensure the sustainable development of the coupled socio-ecological system that the Earth has become. We call this research challenge ´earth system governance´. This term signals, in our view, a paradigmatic change from governing local and national environmental problems to coping with a more fundamental transformation of the earth system.
This research need has been recognized in March 2007 by the Scientific Committee of the International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change (IHDP), which mandated a scientific planning committee to draft a science plan for a new IHDP Earth System Governance Project. A draft version of this Science Plan has been reviewed by more than 40 researchers and practitioners. At its 15th Meeting, October 2008 in New Delhi, India, the IHDP Scientific Committee approved the Earth System Governance Science and Implementation Plan and appointed the Scientific Steering Committee (ESG SSC). This approval marked the official launch of the Earth System Governance Project, as a new core project of IHDP. In 2015, the Project became a core project of Future Earth – the overarching international research platform that seeks to provide the scientific knowledge needed to accelerate transformations towards a more sustainable world.
Policy Relevance
The Earth System Governance Project, while being essentially a scientific effort, is also designed to assist policy responses to the pressing problems of earth system transformation. All analytical problems studied in the project have profound policy implications. For example, the problem of the architecture of earth system governance is a key concern of current negotiations and political processes that are often faced with ‘treaty congestion’ and complex interlinkages between different institutions, for instance between multilateral environmental agreements and the World Trade Organization. ‘Fragmented’ governance architectures are also an increasing problem for decision-makers, particularly in climate policy. A related concern is the reform of the United Nations, for example with a view to the debate on a United Nations Environment Organization. At national and local levels, architecture is a key concern for decision-makers dealing with policy integration, the comparative effectiveness of policy instruments, and the integration of decision-making from international, national and local levels. Research on agency within the project will generate novel ideas on the integration of civil society actors in earth system governance, and on the advantages and disadvantages of private and public-private governance arrangements. Research on governance of adaptation and the adaptiveness of governance arrangements will inform policy-makers who have to deal with adapting politics and policies to a changing world. The accountability and legitimacy of decision-making, from local to global levels, is equally a key problem for public policy. Finally, the research on allocation and access will help to improve governance outcomes and advance philosophical and ethical discourses on an equitable approach to earth system governance.
In 2017, the Earth System Governance Project strengthened its policy relevance through the Governance for Global Sustainability Partnership with Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future.
The Institute of Environment and Water Management (IEWM) is a non-governmental organization that aims to strengthen water and environmental governance and climate change resilience through unlocking the potential of communities and institutions to manage their natural resources equitably and sustainably.
IEWM has a strong track record in tackling and finding innovative solutions to address climate change, natural resource management, and water and sanitation issues, through training and capacity building, skills development, research and knowledge management. The institute’s added value and achievements relies on strategically combining effective programme management, targeted advocacy and compelling communications.
The Institute has striven to bridge the gap between local action and policy/decision making through lobbying and advocacy. It’s technical experience and influence is recognised and valued at the national level and IEWM’s interventions are clearly aligned with national policies and guidelines, actively contributing to the country’s Vision 2030.
In 2005, Richard Leakey outlined to Stony Brook his concept for an institute that could provide the permanent infrastructure to enable year-round research in this remote area of sub-Saharan Africa. The University enthusiastically endorsed the idea of TBI, committing funds for the Stony Brook end of the project. Additional fundraising began in 2006; construction of temporary facilities for a long-term field camp on the east side of Lake Turkana (TBI-Ileret) commenced in 2007; the camp was fully operational by year-end and was the site for the first Kenya-based Human Evolution Workshop in 2008. Construction of the first full field center on the west side of the lake (TBI-Turkwel) was completed in 2012. Construction of permanent facilities at TBI-Ileret commenced in 2012, and is scheduled to be completed in 2016.
Formally, Turkana Basin Institute, Ltd. is the title holder for the fixed assets in Kenya known as TBI-Nairobi, TBI-Turkwel and TBI-Ileret (together known as “TBI Kenya”) and is under an agreement with the Government of Kenya, through the National Museums of Kenya, to serve as a repository for the archaeological and paleontological heritage of the Lake Turkana region.
In 2013, Richard Leakey and Stony Brook University President, Samuel L. Stanley, established the TBI International Advisory Board. Comprised of prominent philanthropists and scientists from around the globe, this group meets twice a year to share ideas and discuss how best to ensure the success and secure the mission of the Institute. This dynamic group has assumed a lead role in TBI’s fundraising efforts through their own generous contributions.
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) is the premier Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) dedicated to nature conservation and sustainable development in Nigeria. Established in 1980, the Foundation was registered in 1982 as a Charitable Trust under the Land (Perpetual Succession) Act of 1961 – a policy that was replaced by the Company and Allied Matters Act of 1990.
Founded by late Chief S. L. Edu, NCF has its patron as the President and Commander- In-Chief of the Armed Force of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Foundation has a vision of “a Nigeria where people prosper while living in harmony with nature”. This vision drives its Mission to preserve the full range of Nigeria’s biodiversity which includes species, ecosystems and genetic biodiversity; promote the sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations; and advocate actions that minimise pollution and wasteful utilisation of renewable resources.
NCF maintains the lead in promoting environmental conservation and sustainable development; thus, the institutional symbol of natural resource management in Nigeria.
Through its conservation projects, the foundation has developed unique nature conservation strategies that cater for the needs of people while maintaining ecosystem stability. Its ability to work across the spectrum of local communities, corporate bodies and the various tiers of Government using evidence-based actions are the unrivalled standards that pronounce our competence.
NCF operations focus on environmental education, biodiversity conservation, policy advocacy, public sensitization on environmental issues, mitigating environmental pollution and poverty reduction.
350.org is building a global grassroots movement to solve the climate crisis. Our online campaigns, grassroots organizing, and mass public actions are led from the bottom up by thousands of volunteer organizers in over 188 countries.
350 means climate safety. To preserve our planet, scientists tell us we must reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere from its current level of 392 parts per million to below 350 ppm. But 350 is more than a number—it’s a symbol of where we need to head as a planet.
350.org works hard to organize in a new way—everywhere at once, using online tools to facilitate strategic offline action. We want to be a laboratory for the best ways to strengthen the climate movement and catalyze transformation around the world.
We operate at a large scale to take on the world’s greatest challenge. In October of 2009 we coordinated 5200 simultaneous rallies and demonstrations in 181 countries, what CNN called the ‘most widespread day of political action in the planet’s history.’ On 10/10/10, we organized a day of climate solutions projects–from solar panel installations to community garden plantings–and changed communities from the bottom up with over 7000 events in 188 countries. And at the end of last year, we coordinated a climate art project so large it had to be photographed from a satellite in outer space.
In 2011, we are building people power in every corner of the planet. With a huge mobilization planned for September and a series of bold campaigns in strategic countries around the world, we’ve got big plans. With the help of millions of people, we’ll create a wave a hard-hitting climate activism all over the world that can lead to real, lasting, large-scale change.
We think we can turn the tide on the climate crisis–but only if we work together. If an international grassroots movement holds our leaders accountable to realities of science and principles of justice, we can realize the solutions that will ensure a better future for all.
We bring together citizen, congregational, government and business leaders to work collaboratively to create sustainable communities.
The Alliance for Sustainability with 4,000 members in Minnesota and nation-wide is a network and growing community of sustainability leaders from cities, neighborhoods, non-profits, businesses, congregations and schools working together to bring about personal, organizational and planetary sustainability by supporting projects and policies that are ecologically sound, economically viable socially just and humane.
The Alliance for Sustainability and our members and affiliated organizations are bringing communities together to act to create a sustainable future through positive, high impact projects
IN 2019 the Alliance for Sustainability will co-launch the Resilient Cities Coalition (RCC) to support cities, their citizens and institutions to become fully resilient through impactful collaboration, innovative programs, community engagement, and policy advocacy. We are launching the RCC with leaders from 50 metro cities, building upon our past ten years of successful work with the cities.
Values – the RCC is a non-partisan group that focuses on collaborative, win-win-win solutions to community issues of health, equity, sustainability, and resiliency.
Strategy – We seek to accelerate the shift to resiliency by building upon our collaborative work with 40 metro area cities and aligning local and statewide goals and policies for greater impact. We will support and strengthen these cities to become successful, inspiring models for other cities throughout Minnesota and the United States.
Need – The 2018 UN Climate Report warns that all nations must work more rapidly to cut greenhouse gas emissions to avoid catastrophic environmental and humanitarian results. Cities are taking the lead across the world, U.S. and in Minnesota in achieving our state and U.N. climate goals on time.
Welcome To FANEstablished in 1995, Forest Action Network (FAN)is a networking organization that works in collaboration with a number of stakeholders in the natural resource sector on management of natural resources especially trees and forests. More >>
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FAN Finally moves to New HomeA few months shy of its 15th birthday, FAN has achieved a great milestone in its growth by finally acquiring and occupying its own premises.
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The Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA) is the organization which represents the entire sustainable energy sector.
Learn more about what OSEA does:
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AVIATION
Provide weather forecasts and reports for safe operation of flights. These services include:
- Terminal Aerodome, Enroute and Destination Weather Forecasts & Trends;
- Briefing of Pilots & Airmen on expected weather at various points
- Provision of routnd the clock weather report of points of departure, en route and destination by radio transmission.
- Significan Weather Reports– Vital tool for flight routing during movement, etc.
NON AVIATION
NIMET also generates services and products (such as Seasonal Rainfall Prediction, Quarterly & Annual Weather, Agromet Bulletin, Hydromet Bulletin, etc. These are used in the following sectors:
- AGRICULTURE (Food Security)
- MARINE TRANSPORT
- WATER RESOURCES
- HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION
- DISASTER MANAGEMENT
- CONSTRUCTION
- ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT, ETC
- HEALTH
- INSURANCE
- COMMERCE
Earthlife Africa is a non-profit organisation, founded in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1988, that seeks a better life for all people without exploiting other people or degrading their environment. We want to encourage and support individuals, businesses and industries to reduce pollution, minimise waste and protect our natural resources.
Zoï Environment Network is a non-profit organization that helps build sustainable societies through informed analysis, visual communication, design and action.
Care international has various programmes which include:
Food and Nutrition Security and Climate Change
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
The Foundation is a vehicle through which KTDA Holdings and its subsidiaries carry out corporate social investments (CSI). The Key objective of the Foundation is to initiate interventions that improve the welfare of small holders’ tea farmers in Kenya through strategic partnerships in areas of education, health, economic empowerment and environmental conservation.
To be able to bring about socio economic transformation for the small holder tea farmers, the Foundation has a focus on four key programme pillars. The Foundation’s programmes are aligned to Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals since the tea sector is a major contributor to the socio economic development of the country.
The KTDA CSI business model is driven by sustainability anchored on 3 components:
- The need to address environmental sustainability and climate change challenges for our tea business depends on the environment.
- The need for KTDA Foundation to address social welfare issues that affect our farmers primarily driven by shared value and collaborative partnerships.
- The need to enhance KTDA brand and reputation as an entity that engages its stakeholders holistically.
The Sierra Club is the most enduring and influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. We amplify the power of our 3.5+ million members and supporters to defend everyone’s right to a healthy world.b
In 1983, both black rhinos and northern white rhinos declared extinct throughout Uganda. Therefore, our purpose is to return rhinos, a vital aspect of both environmental and cultural heritage, back into Uganda, through our breeding and release program.
Located in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the 7 000 hectares of savannah and woodlands has provided us with land for the rhinos. Owned by Captain Joe Roy, a Ugandan citizen, a land usage license has been agreed to give us sole usage rights for thirty (renewable) years.
From this, the first six southern white rhinos were translocated in 2005/6, with four from Kenya, and two from Disney Animal Kingdom (USA). As it was northern white rhinos that once populated Uganda’s national parks, our rhinos are technically considered an exotic breed!
It was four years before the first rhino was born in March 2008. Unfortunately, Bella’s baby was a still born.
The next year – 24th June 2009 – we had a healthy male calf, making history by being the first rhino born in Uganda in approximately 30 years! He was named Obama, making history, with his mother from the United States and his father from Kenya.
Geological Survey of Ethiopia (GSE) was set up in 1968 as a Department within the Ministry of Mines (MM), and became the Ethiopian Institute of Geological Surveys(EIGS) in 1984, an autonomous federal government agency accountable to MM.It was recently renamedas GSE in 2000.
The GSE has been generating , collecting and managing geoinformation of the country for the last 4 decades.
Currently the Survey manage, store and process its volumes information using digital systems to satisfy the increasing users’ demand.
VISION To facilitate the utilization of the geoscience data of Ethiopia for developing the country’s mineral resources, so as to contribute as much as possible to its economic growth.
MISSION To carry out geoscientific surveys of Ethiopia so as to produce high quality geodata in a format suitable for easy utilization by end –users, thus enabling rapid development of the mining sector.
GOAL To improve the quality and coverage of the geoscience data of the country.
The GSE is responsible for collecting of basic geoscience information from the whole country and disseminate to all stakeholders. The GSE carries out geological mapping and investigations related to mineral resources, oil and natural gas, hydrogeology and engineering geology. It has well equipped laboratories capable of undertaking geochemical analysis of solid and liquid samples, physical property testing, and petrographic and mineralogical studies.
Plans are in-hand to enhance the capacity of the GSE in order to ensure that they meet the highest international standards and provide an efficient and effective service to potential investors, both foreign and domestic.
Sources of information
Many of the reports and data generated by commercial and Government mineral surveys in Ethiopia can be obtained free of charge from the national Geoscience Information Centre at the GSE or direct from the Ministry of Mines and Energy. Some digital geochemical data and a comprehensive digital mineral deposits database are also available. Geophysical surveys have been flown over most of the greenstone belts. In addition, particularly in the Southern Greenstone Belt, a substantial amount of ground geophysical data is available. Full details of these surveys can be obtained from the Geoscience Data Centre.
Organization Chart
Objective
Generally GSE Carry out geosience mapping activities to produce detail maps and reports used in various undertakings. Evaluate the economic mineral potential of the country by conducting reconnaissance, follow-up and detailed exploration; Provide an assessment of groundwater situation by preparing hydrogeological maps at 1:250,000 and larger scales; Give geotechnical information essential to designs of all types of civil works and investigate natural hazard such as, landslide, slope instabilities and volcanic activities ; Explore for geothermal resources potential of the country; Conduct geophysical surveys ; Identify, analyze and interpret data from geological samples such as mineral, rock, soil, stream sediment, and water etc.; Collect, classify, store, display, publish and disseminate user oriented geoscience data of the country including museum-piece specimens; Carry out core, water well, and geothermal deep well drilling and associated geotechnical works; Provide consultancy service in the areas of hydrogeology and engineering geology etc. to government and non-governmental organizations; and Collect and own information related to earth science studies.
Objectives
- Carry out regional geological and geochemical mapping activities to produce detail maps and reports for use in various undertakings;
- Evaluate the economic mineral potential of the country by conducting reconnaissance, follow-up and detailed exploration;
- Provide an assessment of groundwater situation by preparing hydrogeological maps at 1:250,000 and larger scales;
- Give geothechnical information essential to designs of all types of civil works and investigate natural hazard such as, landslide, slope instabilities and volcanic activities;
- Explore for geothermal resources potential in the country;
- Conduct geophysical surveys;
- Identify, analyze and interpret data from geological samples such as mineral, rock, soil, stream sediment, and water etc;
- Collect, classify, store, display, publish and disseminate user oriented earthscience information of the country including museum-piece specimens;
- Carry out core, water well, and geoghermal deep well drilling and associated geotechnical works;
- Provide consultancy service in the areas of hydrogeology and engineering geology etc. to government and non-governmental organizations;
- Collect and own information related to earth science studies;
Sustainia is a sustainability advisory group and digital studio working to accelerate action towards a sustainable future. We work with people who are changing the world for the better, helping them integrate sustainability into their core by developing cutting-edge strategies, building engaging digital solutions, and amplifying their messages with impact.
Women Environmental Programme (WEP) is a non-governmental, non-profit, non-political, non-religious and voluntary organization formed in April 1997 by a group of women in Kaduna State. WEP envisions a world where the lives of women and youth are positively transformed.
Although WEP emerged in response to the environmental pollution by industries in Kaduna State, over the years she has expanded her interventions to conflict transformation, climate change and governance issues.
WEP has United Nations Economic and Social Council of the United Nations(UN) (ECOSOC) special status, Observer Status to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum, and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). With the Observer Status, WEP participate as a major group organization in contributing to the intergovernmental decision-making process in the UN-System. WEP is one of the Organizing Partners (OPs) of Women’s Major Groups and serves as the National Coordinator for Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) in Nigeria. WEP is also the Focal Point for Global Environment Facility (GEF) CSOs in West and Central Africa.
Since 1997 WEP has impacted over 20,000,000 lives positively across the globe through her interventions in Environment, Governance, Climate Change, Women and Youth Empowerment, Peace and Conflict Transformation.
Cotton made in Africa (CmiA), an Aid by Trade Foundation initiative, improves the social, economic and ecological living conditions of African smallholder cotton farmers and their families by building up an alliance of international textile retailers who demand for the sustainably produced CmiA cotton.
To successfully create social and ecological value, CmiA partners with actors along the textile value chain from farm to fashion, non-governmental as well as governmental partners. Last but not least, CmiA relies on consumers worldwide who can make a valuable contribution to Africa’s long-term future through the purchase of a CmiA-labeled product.