Hectic, complex discussions and frantic lobbying at the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali briefly gave way to more ‘earthly’ pursuits last Sunday, as members of the Red Cross and Red Crescent team in Bali rolled up their sleeves and planted mangroves.
Led by Indonesian Red Cross (Palang Merah Indonesia – PMI) president Mr Mar’ie Muhammad, 50 representatives from Red Cross and Red Crescent societies from all around the world, together with hundreds of local villagers, dug into the muddy sands along the beach at Tanjung Benoa and carefully planted 1,000 mangrove saplings. The community, with support from PMI, plans to plant 10,000 mangrove trees along the exposed shore.
But the mangrove planting was far from being simply a symbolic ceremony, explained Madeleen Helmer, the head of the Red Cross Red Crescent climate centre
“This activity sends a strong message to all participants of the conference that communities vulnerable to natural disasters must be at the centre of climate change discussions,” she said. “They are the ones who are often already suffering the effects of climate change.”
The mangrove planting, Ms Helmer continued, was an example of the kind of actions that communities can take to reduce the impact of natural hazards such as storms and sea surges – hazards that are expected to increase in frequency and intensity as a result of climate change.
PMI head Mar’ie Muhammed pointed out that PMI has been working with communities in Bali to help them reduce some of the climate related risks that they face. “PMI seriously takes climate change issue into account to ensure that communities have the appropriate capacity to deal with the issue,” he explained. “But this needs not only the help of PMI but also the support of other national and international stakeholders.”
Ten year old Arya Putra, a student at the South Kuta junior high school who participated in the event, would be very happy if the tree he planted could grow up well. He and his family live close to the beach. Arya admitted that he now understand how mangrove forests can be a good barrier against the waves, winds, and high tides that threaten his village. “I don’t want my village to be like Aceh was hit by tsunami, I’m really afraid about that,” he said whilst planting his tree.
The mangrove planting is itself just one of several activities held and facilitated by International Federation during the conference. On the day before the planting, Madeleen Helmer moderated a “Development and Climate Days” panel discussion, with International Federation climate expert Pablo Suarez acting as a panelist. A short International Federation film titled “Beyond Response: Adapting to Climate Change at the Red Cross in Indonesia” received positive feedback from a number of the session’s participants.
The Climate Change Conference has brought together 10,000 representatives from governments, UN bodies, the private sector, scientific institutes, non-governmental organizations, the Red Cross Red Crescent, media and other interested parties. The meeting will act as a first step towards a new post-Kyoto international climate change regime, to be agreed in 2009 in Copenhagen.
The Red Cross Red Crescent calling on all the parties involved in the conference to prioritize climate risk reduction for the most vulnerable people in the poorest countries; to include in the new treaty a target for adaptation funding, and a plan on how to mobilize and implement those resources, and; for a decision to be taken on an immediate increased investment in adaptation for 2008-2012.
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Residents of Tanjung Benoa village, Bali, Indonesia, and local Red Cross volunteers plant mangroves. Mangrove forests act as a buffer against wind and waves, saving lives in extreme cases, but also protecting homes and livelihoods. Simple steps like this can reduce the impact that natural hazards have on vulnerable communities. (Indonesian Red Cross/ Obed Wewo)
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Madaleen Helmer, head of the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre roles up her sleeves and joins in the fun. “This activity sends a strong message to all participants of the conference that communities vulnerable to natural disasters must be at the centre of climate change discussions,” she said. (Indonesian Red Cross/ Obed Wewo)
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A child in Tanjung Benoa village, Bali, Indonesia, planting mangroves to help reduce the impact of wind, waves and sea surges on his village. The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) is planting a total of 10,000 mangroves in the village – one for every participant at the UN Climate Change summit currently being held in Bali. (Indonesian Red Cross/ Obed Wewo)
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