wow

Contact: Tara Setmayer (202) 225-2415 ***PRESS STATEMENT*** Rohrabacher Response to Misleading Reports on His Position Concerning Rainforests and Climate Change Washington, May 27 - “Once again those with a global agenda have created a straw man by misrepresenting the position of their critics. I do not believe that CO2 is a cause of global warming, nor have I ever advocated the reduction of CO2 through the clearing of rainforests or cutting down older trees to prevent global warming. But that is how my question to a witness during my subcommittee hearing on May 25th is being reported. I simply asked the witness, Dr. Todd Stern, who is a supporter of a global climate treaty that would dramatically hurt the standard of living for millions of human beings, if he was considering a policy that would address naturally emitted carbon dioxide, which makes up over 90% of emissions. “To suggest that I’m advocating such a radical approach instead of simply questioning the policy is a total misrepresentation of my position.”

ClientEarth's Daniela Rey blog on Amazon legislation

ClientEarth has a good blog on some recent developments in Brazil.

It should be clarified that overall in the past 5 years, Brazil's rates of deforestation have been falling/declining very dramatically. It is one of the greatest global conservation success stories of our time.

What Daniela is referring to is a recent spike in deforestation (in March and April 2011), mostly in Mato Groso state. Many people believe this recent rise in deforestation is related to federal discussions to weaken the Forest Code and grant certain types of amnesty.

Surge in Amazon (Mato Grosso) deforestation

Mongabay is reporting on fairly substantial increases in deforestation in the bell-weather state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Mato Grosso had experienced fairly substantial declines in deforestation in recent years.

Climate Laws Gain in 16 major economies

This is a very informative article about a recent study by Globe International.

You can find the original report here:

http://www.globeinternational.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/GLOBE-CLIMATE-LEGISLATION-STUDY.pdf

Policy Nominations for Visionary Forest Policies

This is an interesting article on nominations for Visionary Forest Policies, an award by the World Future Council. The article at the bottom provides a link to 19 nominated policies from around the world, including the US 2008 Lacey Act, Aceh's 2007 Logging Moratorium, and Brazil's 2008 law authorizing the Amazon Fund (among many others).

What is the current status of REDD+? Mongabay interview

FIELD's REDD+ Negotiations Guide

The purpose of this guide is to assist developing country negotiators and others who are working on REDD-plus*.

FIELD provides this information on a neutral, non partisan basis. The guide is available in English, French and Spanish. Electronic versions can be found at www.field.org.uk.

This is an updated version (February 2011) of the guide that was released in October 2010.

REDD-plus is a very complicated issue. It is complicated technically. It is complicated politically. Although many countries are interested in reaching agreement on REDD-plus they also have different priorities and different views on key issues in the negotiations.

The negotiations on REDD-plus have complicated links with several other issues that are also under negotiation, which can make it difficult to maintain an overview and keep up with the implications of different proposals.