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The Earth Debates

In partnership with the Natural History Museum and Stakeholder Forum, we are hosting four Earth Debates in the build up to the Rio +20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Earth Summit 2012) being held in Brazil, 20-22 June 2012.

What are the big international themes that world leaders will aim to address at Earth Summit 2012? The international agenda will focus on how to develop a greener, sustainable and more equitable economy and how to reform international institutions to better respond to the pressing issues.The debates concern the key issues of green infrastructure, reforming global finance and addressing the needs for people and environment for the future.

The Earth Summit will bring experts from around the world together to discuss measures to reduce poverty while stimulating the economy; promoting clean energy; and encouraging sustainable and fair use of resources.

 

Thirty-eight British Council 'Green Ambassadors' gave eloquent voice to the aspirations of global youth to an audience of prominent representatives from civil society, academia, government and business at the Closing Earth Debates' Dinner held on April 26, 2012 in London's Natural History Museum. Click HERE to find out more about the Green Ambassadors and the event!

The 4 Debate Topics

Closing Earth Debate: Last Pit Stop to Rio (26th April 2012)

Green Ambassadors joined global and local representatives from civil society, academia, government and business for dinner to discuss and shape a vision for RIo+20 and a sustainable future. The event brought together ideas from the four Earth Debates to build momentum and drive discussions around Rio+20.

Watch highlights from the event below:

 

 

 
 
Natural services are acts provided by nature that provide humans with clean air, pollinated crops, and fresh water. We use these resources and take them for granted. What if we assigned a market value on them to encourage us to monitor our usage?
 
Watch a 5 minute clip of the highlights below, or watch the full version here.
 
 
Currently, GDP does not incorporate the value of natural capital or of natural services. How can we measure a country's activity and output so that we can provide these measures to encourage businesses and governments to invest in a green economy?
 
Watch a 5 minute clip of the highlights below, or watch the full version here.
 
 
 
 
As urbanisation increases, cities will become responsible for handling the welfare of people, the environment, development and growth. How can we influence the design of cities in order to pioneer a path for greener economies by managing energy, resources and waste? The future of our planet depends on transforming grey cities into green cities.
 
Watch a 5 minute clip of the highlights below or wach the full version here:
 
 
 

 

The human population continues to increase, but can our natural resources keep up? Suitable land and water are required to produce food, but as these are on the decline, so is the possibility for sustainable development. How can we maintain natural services to meet the demand of the growing population?
 
Watch a 5 minute clip of the highlights below, or watch the full version here:
 
 

You can participate by discussing and debating online:

Links to More Information

Brazil

The 3rd debate was screened by British Council Brazil.

Ethiopia

British Council Ethiopia ran a pre-debate to the 1st Debate and tweeted questions to the London panel. Their questions can be heard in the full version of the 1st Debate's video.  

Germany

The 3rd Earth Debate was screened in Berlin to an audience of 25 and the 4th debate was screened in Munich at the Rachel Carson Center for Environment & Society to an audience of 120.

Nepal

British Council Nepal partnered with ICIMOD to screen highlights from the 1st UK Debate and they then held their own regional Earth Debate  on Ecosystem Economics in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan Countries (February 24 14:00 Kathmandu time). Audiences in Bangladesh, China and India participated via Skype.

Sweden

Sweden screened the 3rd debate in partnership with GlobalFOCUS, which looks for solutions to sustainability issues at the intersection between civil society, politics, media and culture.

© British Council

The United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.

A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland).

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