With the new year comes regime change on New York's East River. At midnight Kofi Annan stepped down as United Nations Secretary General. From today Ban Ki-moon of South Korea takes over; the first Asian in three decades to head the organisation.
There are no shortages of challenges in Mr Ban's in-tray. He must shake off the air of moral laxness that hangs over the organisation. The UN's reputation has been tarnished in recent years by the revelations of corruption in its handling of the Iraq oil-for-food programme and the sexual abuse scandal involving UN peacekeepers in Africa. Mr Ban's first task is therefore to reform the UN itself. His predecessor made only modest progress on streamlining the organisation's bureaucracy. The General Assembly rejected many of the changes first proposed by Mr Annan. The new Secretary-General is likely to face a difficult battle to push them through.
And then there are the grand geopolitical challenges of our times. From Sri Lanka to Darfur, regional conflicts are growing in intensity. Iraq is imploding. Sanctions have been imposed on Iran. North Korea conducted a nuclear test last year. The threat of international terrorism has grown. The slow killers of the modern world are still at large, too. Aids continues to ravage southern Africa and is a growing menace in Asia and Russia. Huge numbers of people still live in lethal poverty.
Mr Ban claims to be a pragmatist. In his election campaign he argued that the UN's strategic focus should be on "achieving the goals already set rather than identifying new frontiers to conquer". But to lead is to choose. What priorities will Mr Ban have now he is in office? We can perhaps surmise a little from his past. As a former South Korean foreign minister he has extensive experience of negotiating with North Korea. Helping to resolve the crisis on the Korean peninsula should be one of his priorities. Mr Ban also won support from China when running for the job, suggesting an ability to work with the emerging global superpower of the East. But will the new Secretary General be able to act as "the world's conscience" as Mr Annan did? Will he be able to work with the Bush administration in its final years? We shall have to wait and see. For now Mr Ban is an unknown quantity.
But we should not exaggerate the extent to which Mr Ban ought to make a difference. The unfortunate truth is the future of the UN is not in Mr Ban's hands. It lies instead in the hands of the five veto-holding members of the Security Council, the United States, China, France, Britain and Russia. The UN is only as effective as its most important members want it to be. The US launched the war in Iraq despite the failure of our own Prime Minister to secure the consent of the UN. China vetoed pressure on the government of Sudan that might end the slaughter in Darfur. The limitations of the office of the Secretary-General are all too apparent.
We are unlikely to see an improvement here until there is a reconfiguration of the Security Council. The Council reflects the world of 1945 not 2007. But there is little evidence that the present incumbents are ready to see their power diluted. We must sadly conclude that the present deadlock is likely to continue.
Yet, despite this, the UN remains the world's best hope of just global governance. As Mr Annan said in his valedictory address, the organisation should ideally be forum where the poor and weak can have some influence over the actions of the rich and powerful. We must judge Mr Ban on the extent to which he can continue the work of his predecessors in turning this noble ideal into a reality.
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Rabu, 24 Maret 2010
Selasa, 23 Maret 2010
Glaciers in Uganda, East Africa are receding at an alarming rate due to global warming.
Dubbed 'the Mountains of the Moon', the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda, East Africa are well-known for their breathtaking glaciers. It is rare to find snow and ice on the equator, so trekkers often follow rugged and steep routes and climb nearly 5000 metres above sea level, just to catch a glimpse of the icy landscape.
But these glaciers may not be around for much longer. Due to global warming, they are shrinking much faster than expected. Dr. Richard Taylor, a geographer at University College London who monitors the Rwenzori glaciers, says that when he stood at the foot of Speke glacier in 2005 and measured it, he was shocked to discover that it could soon be gone. "We were judging the distance that it had retreated in ten years, and it was a lot. That's when we realised things were dramatic," he recalls. "We had tracked that it had moved 311 metres, so we're looking at around 30 metres a year."
Taylor and his colleagues have calculated that the Rwenzori glaciers are likely to disappear within two decades, since less than 1000 square metres of glacier ice currently remains. And Taylor thinks that the damage to the glaciers is already too advanced to halt. "Even if we stopped emitting greenhouse gases tomorrow, we'd still have a lag-time of increasing air temperature over the next few decades," he explains. "I don't think that there is any real hope that we can ever do anything more for these glaciers, but we now need to recognise that we're changing the climate."
Endangered Vegetation
The region just beneath the glaciers, called the Afroalpine vegetation zone, has rare plants that only grow at specific elevations in East African highlands. These plants rely on glacial river water and there were initial concerns that there wouldn't be enough water. But Taylor and his colleagues found that the glaciers are already so small that their disappearance will barely affect the flow of alpine rivers.
However, the receding glaciers certainly act as a warning for the more direct consequences of global warming. As temperatures increase, plants that normally grow in lower montain zones will be able to grow at higher altitudes and will compete for limited space with existing plants. "Luckily vegetation responds pretty slowly," Taylor says. "The glaciers are much more sensitive than vegetation to changes in air temperature."
The Cause
Carbon dioxide, or CO2, is the major contributor to global warming since it creates a greenhouse effect where the sun's heat cannot escape through the atmosphere. Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas increase CO2 levels in the atmosphere and most scientists now agree that they are the prime culprits for climate change.
Ironically, indigenous mountain communities like the BaKonzo people, who produce virtually no greenhouse gases, are likely to be the most affected by glacial loss. The glaciers give the BaKonzo their cultural identity, protect them from tropical diseases, storms and hostile tribes, and provide medicinal plants. Their tourism economy also depends on the glaciers, and they will suffer drastically when the glaciers disappear, since they will no longer be there for mountaineers and trekkers to admire.
Perhaps the damage to the Rwenzori glaciers cannot be reversed, but many environmentalists are urging people to take action before further damage is done. At sites like http://www.carbonfootprint.com, people can calculate their carbon footprint - a measure of how much carbon dioxide a person produces - and then hopefully think of ways to reduce their environmental impact.
There are many ways to reduce carbon emissions. Using public transportation rather than driving a car is one positive step as is recycling, switching to energy-efficient lightbulbs, avoiding unnecessary packaging and buying local food rather than produce shipped on planes from countries thousands of miles away. Planting trees, switching to renewable energy sources for electricity and investing in Sustainable Technology Development are also suggestions for offsetting one's carbon footprint.
Even the most swanky corporations are now going green gracefully. In 2008, Porsche is releasing the Cayenne in the U.S.A., which will probably be one of the most desirable hybrid SUVs on the market. Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin, announced in September that the Virgin Group will invest up to $400 million to develop an environmentally-friendly fuel.
By responding quickly to the urgent need to reduce carbon dioxide levels, people may be able to prevent more drastic consequences in 50 years' time. It could take some innovative solutions, but the future is in our hands, or perhaps more appropriately, in our footprints.
But these glaciers may not be around for much longer. Due to global warming, they are shrinking much faster than expected. Dr. Richard Taylor, a geographer at University College London who monitors the Rwenzori glaciers, says that when he stood at the foot of Speke glacier in 2005 and measured it, he was shocked to discover that it could soon be gone. "We were judging the distance that it had retreated in ten years, and it was a lot. That's when we realised things were dramatic," he recalls. "We had tracked that it had moved 311 metres, so we're looking at around 30 metres a year."
Taylor and his colleagues have calculated that the Rwenzori glaciers are likely to disappear within two decades, since less than 1000 square metres of glacier ice currently remains. And Taylor thinks that the damage to the glaciers is already too advanced to halt. "Even if we stopped emitting greenhouse gases tomorrow, we'd still have a lag-time of increasing air temperature over the next few decades," he explains. "I don't think that there is any real hope that we can ever do anything more for these glaciers, but we now need to recognise that we're changing the climate."
Endangered Vegetation
The region just beneath the glaciers, called the Afroalpine vegetation zone, has rare plants that only grow at specific elevations in East African highlands. These plants rely on glacial river water and there were initial concerns that there wouldn't be enough water. But Taylor and his colleagues found that the glaciers are already so small that their disappearance will barely affect the flow of alpine rivers.
However, the receding glaciers certainly act as a warning for the more direct consequences of global warming. As temperatures increase, plants that normally grow in lower montain zones will be able to grow at higher altitudes and will compete for limited space with existing plants. "Luckily vegetation responds pretty slowly," Taylor says. "The glaciers are much more sensitive than vegetation to changes in air temperature."
The Cause
Carbon dioxide, or CO2, is the major contributor to global warming since it creates a greenhouse effect where the sun's heat cannot escape through the atmosphere. Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas increase CO2 levels in the atmosphere and most scientists now agree that they are the prime culprits for climate change.
Ironically, indigenous mountain communities like the BaKonzo people, who produce virtually no greenhouse gases, are likely to be the most affected by glacial loss. The glaciers give the BaKonzo their cultural identity, protect them from tropical diseases, storms and hostile tribes, and provide medicinal plants. Their tourism economy also depends on the glaciers, and they will suffer drastically when the glaciers disappear, since they will no longer be there for mountaineers and trekkers to admire.
Perhaps the damage to the Rwenzori glaciers cannot be reversed, but many environmentalists are urging people to take action before further damage is done. At sites like http://www.carbonfootprint.com, people can calculate their carbon footprint - a measure of how much carbon dioxide a person produces - and then hopefully think of ways to reduce their environmental impact.
There are many ways to reduce carbon emissions. Using public transportation rather than driving a car is one positive step as is recycling, switching to energy-efficient lightbulbs, avoiding unnecessary packaging and buying local food rather than produce shipped on planes from countries thousands of miles away. Planting trees, switching to renewable energy sources for electricity and investing in Sustainable Technology Development are also suggestions for offsetting one's carbon footprint.
Even the most swanky corporations are now going green gracefully. In 2008, Porsche is releasing the Cayenne in the U.S.A., which will probably be one of the most desirable hybrid SUVs on the market. Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin, announced in September that the Virgin Group will invest up to $400 million to develop an environmentally-friendly fuel.
By responding quickly to the urgent need to reduce carbon dioxide levels, people may be able to prevent more drastic consequences in 50 years' time. It could take some innovative solutions, but the future is in our hands, or perhaps more appropriately, in our footprints.
Rabu, 17 Maret 2010
Style is an Option. Clean is Not. Gigunda cleans up with Tide laundry detergent at Super Bowl XLIV
Pressemitteilung von: SavoirFaire Marketing Communications
(openPR) - MIAMI – With all eyes on Miami for Super Bowl XLIV, Gigunda Group went the extra mile – airing some clean laundry on a blocks-long clothesline to raise money and awareness for those in need.
From Feb. 4 – 6 Gigunda's street team took over a stretch of beachfront real estate along Ocean Drive in Miami Beach with the interactive Tide Mile of Clean Style/Stain Brain Experience, an immersive branded experience that combines goodwill with good clean fun.
Gigunda's challenge was to incorporate several themes into one high-profile event: Fundraising to benefit Haitian earthquake victims; helping to clothe local homeless families in need; getting Tide's new iPhone Stain Brain App into the hands of the people; capitalizing on the location of this year's Super Bowl; and taking advantage of Miami Beach’s hot shopping district, where casual clothes reign supreme. The event kicked off Tide’s new campaign: “You make it work. We’ll keep it clean.”
On hand at the event was the Tide Loads of Hope mobile laundry unit, which was launched by Gigunda in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina and which continues to roll, as needed, around the country as a beacon of practical relief in the wake of natural disasters. Here visitors could get a first-hand tour of the Loads of Hope unit and buy vintage Tide T-shirts, with proceeds going to disaster relief efforts in Haiti.
A beachfront cable clothesline towering 16-feet in the air spanned three city blocks, pinned with 300 new articles of clothing for every member of the family, all to be donated to Miami families in need when the program is complete. Visitors could pick up samples of Tide products along the way, complimentary bottles of water and receive information about the entire Tide product line.
At the heart of the campaign was the pop-up Tide Studio. Inside, visitors could stop by the free, T-Shirt Creation Station and design an original screen-printed Tide T-shirt. Emphasizing the idea of “showing off your own personal style,” Gigunda built an elevated 450 ft. long Everyday Runway, where visitors could strut the runway and show off their t-shirt handiwork. With a live DJ spinning beats and celebrity stylist Jorge Ramon standing by to offer free style consultations and fashion tips, visitors could experience the thrill of the catwalk, and walk away with a wearable brand-centric souvenir.
The Tide Studio also featured custom designed interactive kiosk and live demonstrations to spotlight the Tide Stain Brain application, along with a computer station equipped for free downloads of the Tide iPhone Stain Brain App. Visitors tested their personal knowledge of stain solutions against those available through the iPhone appplication, and learned out how to contribute their own home stain remedies to the program, using a consumer link built in to the app.
About Gigunda
Based in Manchester, New Hampshire, Gigunda Group is an innovative experiential marketing agency that prides itself on being idea instigators and insight experts. Gigunda has activated experiential programs such as the groundbreaking Charmin Restrooms campaign in New York City and Tide Loads of Hope. In addition to P&G, Gigunda’s client roster includes brands such as Sony, Yahoo, Activision, Kellogg’s, Nike, GlaxoSmithKline, Mars Snackfood and Stanley.
Last year, Promo Magazine named them the most creative agency in the United States. The company has won more than 60 industry awards since 2007 and was honored with the prestigious P&G Family Care Inspiration Award in 2006.
Pressemitteilung von: SavoirFaire Marketing Communications
(openPR) - MIAMI – With all eyes on Miami for Super Bowl XLIV, Gigunda Group went the extra mile – airing some clean laundry on a blocks-long clothesline to raise money and awareness for those in need.
From Feb. 4 – 6 Gigunda's street team took over a stretch of beachfront real estate along Ocean Drive in Miami Beach with the interactive Tide Mile of Clean Style/Stain Brain Experience, an immersive branded experience that combines goodwill with good clean fun.
Gigunda's challenge was to incorporate several themes into one high-profile event: Fundraising to benefit Haitian earthquake victims; helping to clothe local homeless families in need; getting Tide's new iPhone Stain Brain App into the hands of the people; capitalizing on the location of this year's Super Bowl; and taking advantage of Miami Beach’s hot shopping district, where casual clothes reign supreme. The event kicked off Tide’s new campaign: “You make it work. We’ll keep it clean.”
On hand at the event was the Tide Loads of Hope mobile laundry unit, which was launched by Gigunda in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina and which continues to roll, as needed, around the country as a beacon of practical relief in the wake of natural disasters. Here visitors could get a first-hand tour of the Loads of Hope unit and buy vintage Tide T-shirts, with proceeds going to disaster relief efforts in Haiti.
A beachfront cable clothesline towering 16-feet in the air spanned three city blocks, pinned with 300 new articles of clothing for every member of the family, all to be donated to Miami families in need when the program is complete. Visitors could pick up samples of Tide products along the way, complimentary bottles of water and receive information about the entire Tide product line.
At the heart of the campaign was the pop-up Tide Studio. Inside, visitors could stop by the free, T-Shirt Creation Station and design an original screen-printed Tide T-shirt. Emphasizing the idea of “showing off your own personal style,” Gigunda built an elevated 450 ft. long Everyday Runway, where visitors could strut the runway and show off their t-shirt handiwork. With a live DJ spinning beats and celebrity stylist Jorge Ramon standing by to offer free style consultations and fashion tips, visitors could experience the thrill of the catwalk, and walk away with a wearable brand-centric souvenir.
The Tide Studio also featured custom designed interactive kiosk and live demonstrations to spotlight the Tide Stain Brain application, along with a computer station equipped for free downloads of the Tide iPhone Stain Brain App. Visitors tested their personal knowledge of stain solutions against those available through the iPhone appplication, and learned out how to contribute their own home stain remedies to the program, using a consumer link built in to the app.
About Gigunda
Based in Manchester, New Hampshire, Gigunda Group is an innovative experiential marketing agency that prides itself on being idea instigators and insight experts. Gigunda has activated experiential programs such as the groundbreaking Charmin Restrooms campaign in New York City and Tide Loads of Hope. In addition to P&G, Gigunda’s client roster includes brands such as Sony, Yahoo, Activision, Kellogg’s, Nike, GlaxoSmithKline, Mars Snackfood and Stanley.
Last year, Promo Magazine named them the most creative agency in the United States. The company has won more than 60 industry awards since 2007 and was honored with the prestigious P&G Family Care Inspiration Award in 2006.
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