December 5, 2007

Balinese Dancers, Scientists and UN Delegates Urge Support to Save Tropical Forests

The Tropical Forest Group delivered a powerful message today at the UN climate change talks in Bali that saving tropical forests is critical to controlling climate change. During a brief break in negotiations (which are still bogged down) the Tropical Forest Group attracted throngs of reporters inside the main entrance to the talks (see accompanying photo) There, Nyoman Sura and his amazing dance troupe dazzled delegates with a spectacular dance . These local dancers used their costumes, an original Balinese musical score and their bodies to encourage UN delegates to pass positive REDD text. One of the dancers passed out from heat stroke.

Imagine this: Negotiators take a break immediately after intense REDD talks. As the delegates walk outside for a breath of fresh Balinese air, they see a wall of reporters filming local dancers decked out to help save forests. After the dancers drew the reporters, TFG arranged several high-profile speakers, including scientists, delegates from every major rainforest bloc and a representative from environmental groups.

First to speak after the costumed dancers was TFG Director Jeff Metcalfe, who reminded negotiators that during the 2-week course of “diplomacy” the world would forever lose 1,000,000 acres of rainforest. Jeff then introduced Holly Gibbs, TFG affiliate and science advisor to Papua New Guinea. Holly announced a new study detailing forest carbon stock estimates in developing countries using IPCC Tier 1 guidelines. Holly told delegates there was no reason to stall real conservation finance - the science was in place to use carbon markets to save tropical forests.

After Holly, the Climate Action Network’s REDD spokeswoman, Tracy Johns, called for a clear diplomatic process forward. After Tracy spoke, three delegates, one each from the major rainforest continents, spoke. Gisela Ulloa Vargas of Bolivia and one of Latin America’s most distinguished REDD negotiators reiterated the importance of negotiations for saving tropical forests. After Gisela, Robert Aisi , the ambassador from Papua New Guinea to the United Nations, thanked the dancers for their concern about a livable planet and commented briefly on the talks. After that, Gabon’s senior REDD delegate spoke about the need for real diplomatic progress on the issue. The press conference was formally closed by the Indonesian Governor of Papua, Barnabas Seubu, who announced his intention of saving his Province’s rainforest provided there was adequate carbon finance. Governor Suebu recently won Time Magazine’s Environmental Hero award for his green vision.

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