Environment News

Participation of the World Scout Team at COP17

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 07:37:31 GMT

The World Scout Team at the COP17 has been shuttling down the corridors and pavements of the ICC urging the leaders of the world to reconsider the future of the young people specifically the 30million large that are members of the Movement.

The team has been actively involved in the working groups of Youth Non-Governmental Organizations (YOUNGOs). On September 28, 2009 the international youth movement (YOUNGO) gained official constituency status.

Eco Camp

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:37:22 GMT

As the Climate Change talks are going on at the The International Convention Centre Durban (ICC), around 70 Scouts get the great opportunity every day to do a program on Climate Change in the Kwazulu-Natal Scouts Headquarters. The Kids arrive in the morning and are educated about Climate Change, the COP17, Food-Gardening and Scouting in Germany. In a rotating system they don’t only sit and listen, but are involved in an active program.

WOSM and WAGGGS hold joint Press Conference

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 09:14:34 GMT

Durban, South Africa - World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) and the World Association of the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) held a joint press conference at the Climate Change talks in Durban.
28 representatives from the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) are at the United Nations climate change conference, COP 17, representing their 40million strong membership with the clear message that countries must reach a fair, ambitious and binding agreement in Durban.

Commissioner visits WOSM booth at COP17

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:06:43 GMT

The Chief National Commissioner Bangladesh Scouts, Md. Abul Kalam Azad, paid a visit to the WOSM booth at the COP17 and discussed a few issues pertaining the Climate talks going on here in Durban and how the Scouts are contributing to it.

Md. Abul Kalam Azad was pleased that the World Organization of the Scout Movement had sent a delegation to the Climate Change talks in Durban since they would raise the voice of other 30 million young scouts in the 161 countries they represent.

He stated that he would be pleased to attend and be part of the events and activities that the South Africa Scout Association (SASA) have organized notably the ongoing Scout trainings in environment education in Durban town and the daily joint beach activities between WOSM and Greenpeace youth.

The youth are watching...

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:27:17 GMT

In 2005, the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol ( CMP) at its first meeting in Montreal, by its Decision 1/CMP.1, established the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP). The aim of the AWG-KP is to discuss future commitments for industrialized countries under the Kyoto Protocol. The AWG-KP reports directly to the CMP.

In addressing the delegates to the conference, as part of the Youth Constituent statement, Quintin Combrink from South Africa Scout Association (SASA) said, “Climate change is the moral issue facing both my and your generation….young people here doubt the political will of parties.” He called for a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, which will last for 5 years or less and for it to start by January 2013. He closed firmly by saying that, “the youth are watching, we are listening and we will be acting.”

AWG - KP Contact Group intervention 2 Dec 2011 71.53 kB

World Scouting @ COP17

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:21:02 GMT

The environment is our playground and we are sharing with the tens of thousands of international non-governmental and governmental delegates at the event how scouting has always cared for the planet, not because we had to, but rather, simply that we are in the business of creating a better world.

Behind the SCENES

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 09:16:54 GMT

Promotion of the SCENES network is running full speed at the Jamboree in Sweden. We are only half way through the camp and already more than a thousand scouts have stopped by and tried our different activities.

Scouting for biodiversity and children’s environmental rights

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:31:51 GMT

What would the world be like if designed by Scouts? If you could let your imagine go wild and bring a new species to life, what would it look like? How can we make a difference in our home societies so that we live in a more harmonious world for people and nature?

These are some of the questions being explored by Scouts at workshops being ran by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) as part of the Global Development Village (GDV) at the 22nd World Scout Jamboree in Sweden.

Join us for Earth Hour 2011

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:46:32 GMT

At 8.30 PM (local time) on Saturday 26 March 2011, lights will be switched off around the globe for Earth Hour. Every household of the over 31 million Scouts in the 161 member countries of WOSM all over the world, can set a global record by coming together in action for a common cause – the planet. BP said ‘ Leave this world a little better than you found it’ yes; you can do it by just going ‘beyond the hour’. Please be in solidarity with the distinguished members of World Scout Committee and the World Youth Advisors as they lead by action in Geneva at this time and date.

"One Scout / One tree" Project

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 10:22:12 GMT

Thinking of a simple way to care for the environment and involve Scouts from around the world, Lucas Guilherme a Scout from the Rattlesnake Scout Group in Brazil had the idea to use the Internet as a tool (social networks, email and websites) to encourage every Scout to plant a tree!

His whole idea is based on the 7th Millennium Development Goal which is to “Ensure environmental sustainability”.

As you will see, it is really easy to take part...

2008 World Scout Conference Carbon Footprint Report

Sun, 09 Jan 2011 17:22:47 GMT

During the World Scout Conference held in Korea, 2008, a small team from The Web of Hope carried out a professional analysis of the carbon footprint of this event. Two technical reports have been received and a third report has recently been written to explore what can be done with the information - how it can be used by NSOs, by Scouts at local level and by WOSM to see how we can reduce the carbon footprint of our Scout activities.

Earth Hour Singapore 2010

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 14:35:05 GMT

Since 2007, the last Saturday of March is no longer just a Saturday. It has become a significant day. It is when people all over the world unite together for a common cause to help save our environment. It is Earth Hour.

The Singapore Scout Association first started observing Earth Hour in 2009 when Singapore officially pledged for Earth Hour. WWF Singapore then approached the NSO and invited us to be one of their supporting partners, right after the World Organisation of Scout Movement reinforced their long-term partnership with WWF for Earth Hour at the end of 2008 following the recommendations of Scouts at the 10th World Scout Youth Forum in Korea. Once again in 2010, The Singapore Scout Association became one of the supporting partners of WWF Singapore's Earth Hour Concert at Esplanade Park, Singapore, on 27th March 2010.

Clean Up the World Weekend

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 10:44:34 GMT

Clean Up the World Weekend on 17–19 September is fast approaching. It’s a weekend for celebrating your year-round achievements or organising your own local activity.

This year, in support of the United Nation’s 2010 International Year of Biodiversity, Clean Up the World encourages National Scout Organisations and Scout Groups to join the campaign to focus on protecting biodiversity in your community – that’s protecting the variety and wonder of your local nature.

On World Environment Day, World Scouting receives recognition for its support to Clean Up the World

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 08:21:05 GMT

In the Clean up the World Report for 2009, World Scouting receives recognition for its support to Clean up the World (CUW). CUW works in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and in its Global Activity Report, launched to support World Environment Day on 5 June, WOSM is recognised as a key 'Ally'. Scout activities are highlighted in the report.

Activities ranged from cleaning up small villages to national clean up events. Across many regions, communities also implemented recycling programmes, energy conservation, tree planting and awareness raising activities.

Kipling’s Mowgli revisited at Sunderban to save the tiger

Thu, 20 May 2010 08:57:10 GMT

On 1ST & 2nd of May 24th Asoka Group,South Calcutta Bharat Scouts & Guides organized a camp in Sunder ban’s Bali island in collaboration with We Stand for Environment & Education ( WEE). WEE is a society dedicated to environment & education to create an awareness among the local people to save the tiger in order to save Sunder ban from further demise.

Scouts in Guyana contribute to observance of Earth Day 2010

Tue, 11 May 2010 09:28:51 GMT

Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd every year in an international effort to raise awareness about issues such as pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change that have been affecting our planet. It encourages people around the world to learn more about our actions and how they affect our environment and most importantly to take positive actions (i.e. Acts of Green) towards protecting the Earth – Our Environment.

SCENES Seminar Invitation

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:05:26 GMT

A seminar for the SCENES Centres (Scout Centres of Excellence for Nature and Environment), will be organized from the 18th to the 23nd May 2010, in Kandersteg International Scout Centre, Switzerland.

The aim of the seminar is to bring together representatives of existing and potential SCENES Centres, the SCENES Network and people interested in supporting the development of Scouting and the environment, particularly through SCENES Centres. The aim is to strengthen the SCENES Centres and SCENES Network and explore how to continue to advance SCENES as part of the World Scout Environment Programme.

During the seminar, we ask for active participation from all participants so that we can learn from each other. The seminar is designed to be able to support potential new SCENES Centres to learn from existing centres.

World Scout Environment Programme Kit available in Spanish

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:46:17 GMT

The World Scout Environment Programme offers tools, resources and initiatives to help Scouts all around the world work together for the good of the local and global environment. This resource kit is now available in Spanish with special thanks to Marisol Mayorga of Costa Rica in particular for her support in translating the documents from English to Spanish.

Solidarity with Haiti : Call for international donations

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:06:01 GMT

Geneva, January 14th 2010 – After the violent quake which struck Haiti, World Scouting is mobilising in order to help the 30,000 Scouts of Haïti so that they can come to the aid of the stricken population. In the name of World Scouting, a message of solidarity and compassion, was sent to Haitian Scouts, even though it is very difficult to get into contact with them for the moment. A volunteer cooperation specialist from “Scouts et Guides de France” (Scouts and Guides of France) is on site in Port-aux-Princes, to support the coordination of the international Scout aid.

A precise indication of what the needs are of the stricken families in terms of goods of first necessity, has been made possible thanks to the contacts, although limited, that have been made at this time. In fact, the 30,000 Haitian Scouts are essential relays between the emergency NGOs and the local population. Their action during the hurricane of 2008, has shown their capacity to act efficiently in operations of clearing, cleaning, decontamination and also by taking care of children that have been left to their own devices, as well as by building emergency camps.

Misaershaff newest SCENES Centre in Luxembourg

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:45:49 GMT

The Misaershaff Youth Training Centre has been designated the newest SCENES Centre (Scout Centre of Excellence for Nature and Environment) having met all of the key requirements for a SCENES Centre.

This old farm, built in 1833, is situated along the river banks of the Haute-Sûre. It has been the FNEL’s (Fédération Nationale des Éclaireurs et Éclaireuses du Luxembourg) national training centre since 2003. Offering a variety of environmental education programmes, demonstrated environmental management practices and picturesque natural settings to explore, Misaershaff is a great location to experience the natural wonders of the environment.

For more information on Misaershaff and the other SCENES Centres please see the SCENES Section of the World Scouting Website: www.scout.org/scenes