News and Updates

Sorry this won’t be a full submission based on time and energy on a Sunday evening and feeling a bit under the weather.

Item 1:

TerraBlog from Terrapass has some great news that is starting to be discussed in many political circles in D.C. - Is Bush changing his stance on Global Climate change? It looks as if during the Presidential Address Bush may announce some news that the US supports CO2 caps among other potential solutions to reduce our contributions to climate change. Check it out here: TerraBlog

Item 2:

Reading a recent article in the Rutland Herald (Vermont local news) demographers and economists are lamenting the aging of Vermont. The aging issue does present some very real and difficult issues for Vermont. Our age profile is becoming more lopsided with the majority the population in the retiring class rather than the working class.

“I don’t think you want your economy of the future to basically be a theme park for the rest of the nation, and a retirement home,” Francese said (demographics expert Peter Francese).

I want to look further into this article since it says, “By the year 2030, Woolf said education and human services spending will gobble up 95 percent of state and local revenue.” (Arthur Woolf is an economist in Vermont). I find it hard to believe that based on the facts in this article where our aging population and shrinking school age population will require that large of a percentage of our state and local revenue.

Item 3:

The United Nations Science and Technology caucus that I am working with is having some organizational issues. The organizations that have been running the show for the last few years have decided that they want to remain in control and not participate in the caucus process of involving worldwide science and technology organizations. These organizations, ICSU and WFEO, were supposedly selected by the UN to represent the science perspective during the WSSD.

This causes some problems because the Major Groups part of ECOSOC are meant to represent the entire Science & Technology community. The caucus as currently setup only represents some science - and precludes many other organizations from taking part. We are working with the UN to get a better explanation of this - Stay Tuned!

Hello Friends, Family -

As some of you may know, I have been significantly involved with a youth NGO (non-governmental organization) called SustainUS since my mid-college years. The organization has provided me the opportunity to be involved in a very special way with the United Nations Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD) for the last three years. The experience of being in such a dynamic, global, and intense place has forever changed my perspectives and outlook on life as well as my own personal commitment to sustainability.

Sustainable development is defined as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” (Brundtland Commission, 1987).

Now – almost 20 years later – we still have a long way to go meeting the needs of the present, let alone the need to preserve the ability to live in the future. We still have 1/3 of the world’s population living on less than $2.00 a day. Providing these people with the opportunity and a chance at living a long, fulfilling life - while not destroying our Planet - presents a significant challenge.

This challenge is why I became involved with the United Nations. It is THE place where the international dialogue on development needs to occur. Only when governments talk openly and honestly, can positive change occur.

During my time at the UN I have built a relationship with the Science & Technology caucus (a major group recognized by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs). This year, I have been selected to be the Science and Technology Caucus Coordinator for the North (the “developed” nations) for the upcoming UN Meeting on Sustainable Development from April 30 to May 11th in New York City. I will be working for the caucus from now until the April meeting to develop policy statements, organize caucus events, and assemble international case studies.

This is an incredible honor as well as an amazing opportunity for me personally.

The topics being discussed during this year include: Energy for Sustainable Development; Industrial Development; Air pollution/ Atmosphere; and Climate Change. No light load and all very dependent on science and technology.

I would like your support for my work with the UN – since it has been 100% volunteer up to this point. I have used personal funds for transportation, lodging, food, etc. during past last three years. Now, taking a larger role, I cannot spare the larger expense. Typically the coordinator position is filled with a representative from a large NGO, such as NAS, NSF, or other international science organization, where the organization would fund the position over the year long term.

This year, because of the substantial time involved in preparation, the need to take time off from my full time employment at RSG, and the significant expenses incurred in New York City during a potential three week stay – I would like to ask if you are able to provide any amount of financial support. If you are able to support some of my efforts - please email me at jon@vsdconsulting.com . Thank you -

I am completely understanding that you may not be able to provide me any financial support at this time – I appreciate that and ask then only for your support to work with me today and in the future to find a more sustainable way of living.

Thank you all for your friendship –

Be Well

Jon

Links to some of the important pages

SustainUS:

http://www.sustainus.org

CSD-15:

http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/csd/policy.htm

S&T Caucus:

http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/mgroups/about_mgroups/amg_science_main.htm