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Momentum for Change Showcase Event
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During the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 23) in Bonn, Germany, the 19
Momentum for Change
Lighthouse Activities were celebrated during an exciting, Oscar-style award ceremony, followed by a moving performance by Kenyan musician Suzanna Owiyo.
UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa delivered opening remarks, expressing gratitude for the climate solutions from people,
communities, cities, and businesses who are not satisfied with the status quo and have the "determined optimism that fuels real and lasting change."
COP 23 President and Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama congratulated the Lighthouse Activities by saying, "Your stories are an inspiration ... because they appeal to the part of our human nature that says wherever there is a problem, we can find a solution."
The award ceremony was hosted by Deutsche Welle News Anchors Sarah Kelly and Phil Gayle, and featured inspirational remarks by Astronaut Timothy Peake.
Watch our
summary video
to experience the excitement of the event.
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High-Level Panel Discussions
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While government delegates were negotiating climate policy, the Bonn Zone at COP 23 provided an important platform for non-Party stakeholders to discuss and accelerate the
global climate agenda
. In this context, Momentum for Change hosted two high-level panel discussions.
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This panel discussion, hosted in collaboration with The Rockefeller Foundation and the World Health Organization (WHO), focused on the emerging field of
Planetary Health
, which explores how the planet's health and human health are connected.
Current challenges, such as air pollution, water depletion, and land degradation, were discussed. For example, 50% of premature deaths of children under five is due to pneumonia caused by the inhalation of particulate matter from household air pollution, according to the WHO.
The panel explored some on-the-ground examples of climate action that improve both people's and the planet's health during the discussion. One example is
We Care Solar
, a 2017 Momentum for Change Award winner under the Planetary Health category. With its solar suitcase, We Care Solar brings solar power to remote, off-grid, and under-resourced medical centers. This initiative saves lives, as health workers no longer struggle to provide life-saving care with inadequate and dangerous lighting, such as kerosene lanterns, candles, and diesel fuel generators.
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This high-level event, in partnership with the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI), highlighted how
ICT Solutions
have the ability to speed the transition to a more sustainable economy.
A panel discussion featuring experts in the ICT sector showcased how ICT can enable larger and faster reductions of greenhouse gas emissions, and facilitate more efficient use of energy and resources. The ICT sector can also help other sectors reduce their emissions when it comes to operational efficiencies, known as enabling capacity. Enabling capacity achieved through operational efficiencies can include solutions from deploying more efficient technology, to controlling emissions in buildings, network infrastructure, data centers, and logistics.
According to sustainability reports released by GeSI, by 2030, ICT's enabling capacity will be 10 times larger than its footprint, which means a reduction of 12 gigatonnes of CO
2
. This is equivalent to 20% of global emissions by that time.
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Climate Action Dialogue Series
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SD Talks Special Series on Climate Action: Meet the 2017 Momentum for Change Award Winners
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United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Development hosted a webinar with the people behind three of the 2017 Momentum for Change Lighthouse Activities: Laura Stachel, of
We Care Solar
, Trevor Bell, of
SmartICE
, and Valeria Valotto, of
Progetto Quid
. This discussion demonstrated how these individuals and their projects are creating positive impact in the lives of people, communities, and the health of the planet, through innovative approaches.
Watch the entire webinar
here.
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Momentum for Change Pavilion
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The 2017 Lighthouse Activities were on display in the Momentum for Change Pavilion at COP23, with large, visual posters telling each activity's story of climate action. This pavilion was constantly filled with conference goers learning more about the Lighthouse Activities and the Momentum for Change initiative.
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