• The Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) failed to make any progress due to objections from Belarus, Russia and Ukraine regarding the group’s agenda. This justifiably sparked frustration among attendees. Discussion surrounding important issues, such as agreement on the “loss-and damage proposal” and how the impacts of climate change in “least developed countries” (or LDCs) and small nations might be addressed, will now be postponed until COP19 in Warsaw.  This means that SBI will have to accelerate its pace at Warsaw; given what occurred in Bonn, there are rising concerns that many agenda items will once again be pushed back to 2014.
• Despite a notably tense forum for discussions, the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) made some minor but important progressive steps. As others have noted, a stall in SBI may have actually contributed to advancements in SBSTA. In terms of achievements, SBSTA submitted a draft decision on modalities for national forest monitoring systems, aiming for adoption by COP19, which highlights the need to develop “measurement, reporting and verification” (or MRV) technical capacity and encourages parties to improve data and methodologies over time while maintaining appropriate forest reference emission levels/reference levels (RELs/ RLs). Previous stalemates surrounding reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) have been partially connected to a lack of clarity surrounding MRV systems–any additional guidance and decisions surrounding how countries should develop appropriate and effective MRV systems may help to keep REDD+ conversations progressing.
•  The SBSTA also made progress concerning greenhouse gases. This progress included decisions on the accounting rules for developed countries and agreement on the types of sectors and gases that should be covered. 
• Perhaps the most important development (especially for the Rainforest Alliance): for one of the first times since Durban in 2011, the  role of adaptation within agriculture was discussed and SBSTA members agreed to submit proposals on how to best “enhance the adaptation of agriculture to climate change impacts while promoting  rural development, sustainable development and productivity of agricultural systems and  food security in all countries, particularly in developing countries.”

Visit our website to learn more about the Rainforest Alliance’s work to fight climate change and influence climate change policy.

Hemiterio—an employee at Refugio Amazonas, a Rainforest Alliance Verified™ lodge in the Madre de Dios region of Peru—has just finished leading a guided walk through his hotel’s medicinal forest. Now, take a virtual walk with him and discover 10 medicinal* plants found in the hotel’s forest garden:

1. Cordoncillo is a plant with anesthetic properties. We chewed its leaves and discovered that our tongues were numb for nearly 30 minutes.
2. Shapumvilla is said to have coagulant properties and is used to stop bleeding.
3. The root of the wasai tree is good for the kidneys. They are ground up and prescribed as a diuretic.
4. Pusangade venado is thought to bring good luck to hunters. Its leaves are also used as camouflage.
5. The bark of the tawari tree is used to treat infection, cancer, tumors and inflammation.
6. The aromatic sodo plant is thought to help cure addiction, including alcoholism.
7. Locals believe that pusangade motelo has a calming effect on individuals suffering from anxiety.
8. A walk through the forest can leave you with a number of mosquito bites—the cordoncillo plant will take the redness away and reduce inflammation.
9. Cola de raton (in English, “rat’s tail”) is said to help with digestion. Hemetrio said that it “works quickly,” warning that anyone who takes the tonic should remain very close to a bathroom.
10. Women with ovarian cysts might consider taking canelilla. It is also used to increase the likelihood of pregnancy.

*This is only a list of plants found in the Peruvian Amazon and thought to have medicinal properties. It should not be confused with medical advise.

Later, students were invited to explore the issues they were most passionate about at a film workshop hosted by Cornea Films. Entitled “Cuentamelo Filmando”(in English, “Tell Me About It”), the workshop encouraged students to examine environmental issues within their community through the production of a stop-motion animation film. The kids were involved in every aspect of the production, writing the movie script, designing the set and creating costumes. The film–which is narrated in the local indigenous language mixe–talks about the importance of respecting nature and local traditions.

Watch the video to see their creativity (and commitment to conservation) at work.

The Rainforest Alliance is part of the Alianza México REDD+, whose mission is to contribute to the creation of knowledge, strengthen capacities to meet the objectives of a national REDD+ strategy and implement rural sustainable development in Mexico. 

“Global Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Energy Rose to Record High in 2012, IEA Reports,” Huffington Post

The world’s energy-related carbon dioxide emissions rose 1.4 percent in 2012 to a record high of 31.6 billion tons, even though the US posted its lowest emissions since the mid-1990s, the International Energy Agency said Monday. In its annual World Energy Outlook report, the Paris-based IEA said top carbon polluter China had the largest emissions growth last year, up 300 million tons, or 3.8 percent, from 2011. Still, the increase was among the lowest seen in a decade as China continues to invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

“The 13 Most Endangered Sea Creatures,” The Daily Green

The most valuable fish in the world are in great danger. According to Oceana, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) estimates that as few as 25,000 individual mature bluefin tuna remain. Conservationists had hoped the bluefin would receive more protection from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) this month, but the measures were defeated.

“The Impact of Food Waste on Climate Change,” Treehugger

It is estimated that 40% of the food produced in America is wasted; it amounts to 1400 calories per person every day. According to the EPA, 31 million tons is thrown into landfills. Much of that produces methane as it rots; the gas is 25 times more potent a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. The UK website Next Generation Food estimates that each ton of food waste is equivalent to 4.2 tons of CO2.

“Russian Bees to the Rescue in North America,” The Voice of Russia

Originally from the Primorsky region in Russia’s Far East, Russian bees are twice as resistant to varroa mites (Varroa destructor), tiny parasites that can infest beehives and which were cited in a report by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the single greatest cause of the dramatic decline in the US honeybee population, which has fallen from 6 million colonies in 1947 to 2.5 million today

“Liberia’s Vanishing Rainforest,” The Telegraph

Liberia’s rainforest is the target of a scramble for the country’s natural wealth. Photographs by Eddie Mulholland, for the Telegraph, document how President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has surrendered 58 percent of Liberia’s primary rainforest to timber companies.

“Brazil’s GHG Emissions Fall 39% Since 2005, Now 10% Below 1990 Levels,” Mongabay

Brazil’s greenhouse-gas emissions dropped 39 percent between 2005 and 2010, largely due to a reduction in deforestation, reports an inventory released yesterday by the Brazilian government. More than three-quarters of the 1.25 billion ton reduction in carbon dioxide emissions came from a drop on forest loss in the Amazon rainforest and surrounding cerrado ecosystem.

“From the Land to the Sea,” American Forests

It turns out that soil erosion caused by deforestation could kill coral reefs. As reported by Phys.org, deforestation in Madagascar has caused the sediment levels in the country’s rivers to increase fivefold, according to a study published earlier this week by a team of scientists from the University of Sydney, Australia. And where do these rivers flow? To the sea, where sediment gets deposited on the seabed, covering up coral, which are then forced to work overtime to survive, which may actually end up killing them.

“Vanishing Species Makes Astounding Comeback Under Combined Action of Local Government and Conservationists,” Mongabay

The reemergence of the endangered Huemul deer marks a momentous achievement by local governments and conservationists worldwide. From the brink of extinction—with populations decimated to one percent of what they previously were—the Huemul populations have not only stabilized but are steadily increasing according to a new study in Oryx.

“A Terrifying, Fascinating Timelapse of Human Impact on Earth,” The Atlantic Cities

Since the 1970s, NASA and the US Geological Survey have been amassing satellite images of every inch of our planet as part of the Landsat program. Over time, the images reveal a record of change: of cities expanding, lakes and forests disappearing, new islands emerging from the sea off the coast of rising Middle East metropolises like Dubai. If you could thumb through these historic pictures as if in a flip book, they would show stunning change across the earth’s surface, in both our natural environments and our man-made ones. Now, the digital equivalent of that experience is possible.

Tell us about the stories that caught your attention in the comments.

To protect this pristine landscape from logging, the American Land Conservancy and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation acquired 8,200 acres (3,300 hectares) and related timber rights from a privately held company on Afognak. They created the Afognak Forest Carbon Project (AFCP), which the Rainforest Alliance validated and verified in a 2012 audit. The project represents our first Improved Forest Management validation and verification according the Verified Carbon Standard, a major carbon accounting standard used in both forest and non-forest carbon sectors.

Afognak is part of a growing movement of land trusts, nonprofit conservation groups and foundations that use carbon verification to support the protection of high-value ecosystems. The AFCP permits no timber production or harvesting, a model that has raised its carbon sequestration to impressive levels in comparison to the clear-cutting scenario that would likely have occurred without protection.

From January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2011 (the period covered by our verification), the project removed from the atmosphere 413,000 metric tons of carbon equivalent–equal to the annual emissions of nearly 69,000 compact cars. The revenue generated by the sale of the carbon offsets is used to support the continued monitoring required to maintain the integrity of the project, as well as ongoing verification costs.

This is an excerpt from the Rainforest Alliance’s brand new 2012 Annual Report. We’ll continue sharing report highlights over the coming weeks.

Eight years ago, Fernando Claude and his wife Amory felt the urge to leave the big city and find a simpler existence. While many of us harbor this distant dream, Fernando and Amory actually did it–they sold all of their belongings, moved to the remote island of Chiloé off the central coast of Chile and began their new life. With no running water, no jobs, and only an old military tent for shelter, they found happiness living in harmony with nature. Eventually, they built Chepo Adventures EcoLodge so that they could share their experience with others. We spoke with Fernando about the decision.

Why did you decide to open the lodge?

In our early fifties, my wife and I moved from the big city of Santiago, Chile, to live on Chiloé Island. We didn’t know anything about nature–we were city people! We wanted to build ‘our life project’ in Chiloe and live completely self-sufficiently for two years without spending any money at all.

With that goal in mind, we arrived in Chepu and started living in an old military tent, spending our days building a little shack, growing our own vegetables, collecting rainwater and producing a little electricity with a small wind generator. We used the advice of an old farming manual. What we couldn’t produce, we traded for with our neighbors.

During this two-year process, we learned a lot about sustainability, nature, construction, renewable energies and more. It was a trial-and-error education! Our lives and spirit were reloaded with energy and optimism and the best thing of all is that we began to know and understand nature. When you live in the city, nature is something distant, but when you are able to experience how wonderful it is, you begin to understand and be amazed by it. Once you love nature, you feel the urge to protect it.

For the first time, we felt like we owned our destiny. One day, some tourists requested to rent our kayaks, and they liked the area so much they asked if they could camp on our property. It was then that we decided to set up a small campsite and kayak rental service as a way to earn a little money. In the past eight years, it’s grown into a full-fledged lodge.

What makes your location, Chiloé Island, special?

In 1960, an earthquake caused the ground to sink a few meters, creating a haunting and beautiful sunken forest in the Chepu River Valley. You can kayak between the logs and tree branches and observe the wildlife that has adapted to this unique ecosystem.

Chiloé is a magical island full of culture, mythology, traditions and blessed natural beauty. The wooden churches built by the Jesuits were named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and you can also find some interesting historic Spanish forts.

What kinds of wildlife can guests expect to see at your hotel?

Our place is rich in bird life, with more than 100 different species. It’s common to see cute river otters escorting your kayak along the river, as well as other mammals like the coipo, a large semiaquatic rodent. You can find also one of the smallest species of deer walking in our garden, the pudú.

Tell us about your electric kayaks. 

Electric kayaks were an innovation created by bird and mammal watchers. Their electric motor uses deep cycle batteries that are recharged only with wind and solar power, so they do not have any carbon footprint and don’t contaminate the water. They are also completely silent, so animals are not scared off. The kayaks have two comfortable seats and you can safely carry photographic equipment.

How does your business benefit the local community?

We always try to have good relations with our neighbors and involve them in tourism activities. We hire local people to work with us and buy local produce as much as possible, such as honey and vegetables. We hire local boaters for bird watching tours and transporting our guests down the river.

What are some of your noteworthy sustainability initiatives?

Nature is our main supplier. Our electricity comes from the wind and sun, and our hot water from solar heaters. All of our water comes from the rain and is filtered by the soil. We separate our garbage and compost our organic waste.

We are committed to protecting the environment in all of our activities. Our latest innovation is a computer software program that we designed ourselves to control our use of water and electricity. With this new technology, we can teach our guests and help them understand their impact. We assign them a certain quota of electricity and water for their daily use, and they report how much water and electricity they use on an LED screen in their rooms. For us, technology and sustainability goes hand-in-hand.

Why is sustainability so important for your hotel?

We have two main reasons. First, we are located in an area with no water supply–the one and only source of water is rain. Therefore, we must be sustainable in order to have a secure water supply during the dry summer months.

Second, we truly believe that a sustainable way of life is the only way. We share our experience with our guests and show them how much can be saved with very little effort. We are sure that after their visit many of our guests will continue the sustainable practices they’ve learned.

Learn more about Chepu Adventures EcoLodge on SustainableTrip.org, a database of eco-friendly hotels and tour operators in Latin America and the Caribbean.

I never imagined that the cocoa farmers we work with in Madagascar lived deep within the forest. To get to them, we drove two days by car on a very bad road. (The road didn’t really look like a road at all. It was more like a huge puddle.) Eventually, there was no more road, so we carried our luggage on our shoulders and walked for one whole day–crossing through several rivers–until we got to the farming community. Upon arrival, I discovered that there was absolutely no electricity. I knew I’d need to forget about internet (and communicating with my colleagues outside of Madagascar) until I came out of the village. I stayed in a hut made of bamboo and leaves, bathed in the river and called the forest my bathroom.

The road to the Malagasy farming community.

The lead farmers welcomed us with all of their hearts and were so excited about our arrival. I showed them different types of training materials that they could use to train other farmers in sustainable practices and learned that most of the local farmers cannot read or write (even in their local language). That’s when we realized that a training movie might be the best way to introduce these farmers to standards for socially, environmentally and economically viable farming. Each village has a few people with a generator and those who have a generator always have a TV. Every two weeks, these villages organize a movie night for their entire community–a training movie about Rainforest Alliance certification could fit perfectly within this system.

The hut where Reiko slept during her time in Madagascar.

Together with the lead farmers, we began an incredibly amusing amateur movie production. The farmers were so excited to become movie actors and we invented a lot of interesting scenarios together. The whole village was excited about the process and we had ‘paparazzi’  throughout the movie production.

The community gathered to watch the production of the training films.

Since the cocoa movie idea was a great hit, we made short movies about vanilla and clove production, as well. By the end of the trip, we had produced 16 training videos on various themes like pest management and waste disposal. The DVDs are now with the producer groups and the crop exporters. I also produced training posters for vanilla and cloves, and a farmer booklet about cocoa. I left copies with the exporters who are willing to finance the printing and are committed to distributing them to farmers.

Learn more about the Rainforest Alliance’s training work.

“Scientists Capture One of the World’s Rarest Big Cats on Film,” Mongabay

Less than a hundred kilometers from the bustling metropolis of Jakarta, scientists have captured incredible photos of one of the world’s most endangered big cats: the Javan leopard. Taken by a research project in Gunung Halimun-Salak National Park, the photos show the magnificent animal relaxing in dense primary rainforest. Scientists believe that fewer than 250 mature Javan leopards survive.

“Climate Disasters Displace Millions of People Worldwide,” The Guardian

More than 32 million people fled their homes last year because of disasters such as floods, storms and earthquakes—98 percent of displacement related to climate change. Asia and west and central Africa bore the brunt. Some 1.3 million people were displaced in rich countries, with the US particularly affected. Floods in India and Nigeria accounted for 41 percent of displacement.

“See Humanity’s Effect on Earth,” Fast Company

The booming economies of Gulf oil states. The rise in the global demand for meat. The continued migration of Americans to sprawling metropoles of the South and West. These major social and political trends of the past two decades aren’t just stats and figures—they’re stories inscribed into fast-changing landscapes, just as visible on satellite imagery as they are on the news.

“China Reports Rise in Humans Encountering Wild Siberian Tigers,” The Guardian

Villagers in northeast China have long endured frigid winters, scorching summers and an occasional drought, but some now have something else to worry about: possible attacks by wild Siberian tigers. Decades of poaching and logging have ravaged the population of the big cat, also known as Amur tigers—only about 500 still live in the wild worldwide. In 2010, Chinese authorities launched an initiative to boost numbers in the Hunchun National Siberian Tiger Nature Reserve near the country’s border with Russia and North Korea. The scheme has shown promising results—the State Forestry Administration announced on Tuesday that China’s wild Siberian tiger population has increased from 12 just over a decade ago to 22.

“Scientists Say United on Global Warming, At Odds with Public View,”  Reuters

Ninety-seven percent of scientists say global warming is mainly man-made but a wide public belief that experts are divided is making it harder to gain support for policies to curb climate change, an international study showed on Thursday. The report found an overwhelming view among scientists that human activity, led by the use of fossil fuels, was the main cause of rising temperatures in recent decades.

“11 Critically Endangered Turtle Species,” Treehugger

Of the 207 species of turtle and tortoise alive today, 129 of them are listed by IUCN as vulnerable, endangered, or critically threatened. That’s an incredible 62 percent of species!

“Umbra on Which Plastics to Avoid,” Grist

So, to be a bit more useful and decisive than usual, I will firmly state: Don’t bring any #3 plastic, vinyl or PVC into your life. Forget about the other numbers if its too much to remember and just focus on #3. ‘No 3 for me.’

Tell us what stories caught your attention this week in the comments!

Certified sustainable segments of industries with the biggest environmental and social footprints–agriculture, forestry and tourism–have been growing for a decade. Rainforest Alliance Certfied™  farms produce 4.6 percent of the world’s coffee, 10.2 percent of cocoa, 11.2 percent of tea, and 15 percent of bananas. Forest Stewardship Council forests worldwide cover an area about the size of Chile. Sustainability certification is expanding into new markets, like the first certified cattle ranches and the first FSC-certified TV set. The list of businesses committed to 100 percent sustainable sourcing is impressive and growing.

This sort of growth is a new normal, and in a way, old news, although no less welcome for being an established trend. But beyond that, something else is emerging in the certification and sustainability sectors these days: The sense that as they grow, they’re supplying the knowledge and innovations their entire industries will need to function well as sustainability challenges ramp up.

According to KPMG, “sustainability megaforces”–from population growth and food security to deforestation and climate change–will affect every business’s performance and profitability within 20 years. A new study finds the food and beverage sectors are at the highest risk. Pioneers of sustainable production and sourcing are confronting problems and evolving solutions today that the rest of their industries may depend on tomorrow. Their work was showcased at a Sustainability and Certification Innovation Workshop the Rainforest Alliance organized last week in New York, featuring business leaders and experts sharing what they’re learning and inventing as they climb the sustainability curve.

Throughout the workshop, common themes emerged:

Cut waste – IndoTeak Design purchases reclaimed teak at auction and re-uses it to craft flooring, paneling and decking. It’s finding major savings by reducing packaging and changing package shape to optimize it for shipping containers, which cuts transport costs 40 percent. Kingfisher, Europe’s leading home improvement retailer, reduced landfill waste 70 percent and cut packaging costs by dumpster diving to investigate what its stores were throwing away and why.

Visit Green Biz to learn more about the themes that emerged at our workshop.