What is IFRC?

Alan Robock

Alan Robock, Distinguished Professor
Department of Environmental Sciences
Rutgers University
14 College Farm Road
New Brunswick, NJ  08901

[email protected]
http://envsci.rutgers.edu/~robock
http://twitter.com/AlanRobock
☮ Watch my 18 min TEDx talk at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsrEk1oZ-54
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> On Mar 29, 2017, at 4:01 PM, Andrew Lockley <[email protected]> wrote:
> 
> 
> Video at https://youtu.be/2oVnasx6hAo
> 
> http://www.climatecentre.org/news/836/heavily-attended-webinar-marks-early-ifrc-engagement-with-issue-of-geoengineering
> 
> Heavily attended webinar marks early IFRC engagement with issue of 
> geoengineering
> 
> 21/02/2017 - by the Climate Centre
> 
> The IFRC Friday convened a webinar on geoengineering and the implications for 
> the humanitarian sector attended by some 600 people online as part of its 
> ‘Solferino Academy’ initiative designed to anticipate and adapt to global 
> change.
> 
> Among the ‘Climate Futures’ series, it was the IFRC’s first major public 
> engagement on the subject of geoengineering – the large-scale intervention in 
> the Earth’s climate in an effort to limit adverse effects of climate change.
> 
> It featured Dr David Keith, a professor of applied physics at Harvard 
> University’s School of Engineering, and Dr Pablo Suarez, Climate Centre 
> Associate Director of Research and Innovation.
> 
> The discussions encompassed ideas presented in a new paper entitled 
> Geoengineering: A humanitarian concern, by Dr Suarez and Climate Centre 
> Director, Dr Maarten van Aalst, for the journal Earth’s Future.
> 
> ‘Risks’
> 
> “The humanitarian sector can often be embroiled in the manifold challenges 
> facing us today,” said Jemilah Mahmood, IFRC Under Secretary General, 
> Partnerships, “but it is essential we also work with partners to understand 
> the changing nature of risk, vulnerability and the future of human need. 
> 
> “Geoengineering may be seen as presenting some potentially valuable options 
> for humankind, but it will also probably pose risks – particularly for 
> communities who are already vulnerable. 
> 
> “We need to try to understand how we can ensure an inclusive approach to the 
> exploration of geoengineering so that it does not disadvantage people 
> struggling against the effects of climate change and other challenges.”
> 
> Shaun Hazeldine, who leads on innovation in the IFRC’s Policy, Strategy and 
> Knowledge Department, added: “The velocity and scope with which change is 
> occurring throughout the world and its pervasive impacts are unprecedented. 
> 
> “It’s essential the humanitarian sector is able to work with partners in 
> academia, the private sector and other actors to understand the opportunities 
> and risks ahead, so we can be adequately prepared for the challenges of the 
> future.”
> 
> ‘Worst outcomes’
> 
> Dr Suarez, who has been tracking the academic and policy debate on 
> geoengineering since 2009, earlier took part in apanel discussion in New York 
> for the launch of the Carnegie Climate Geoengineering Governance Initiative.
> 
> He and Dr van Aalst argue in their paper that “early engagement by the sector 
> is imperative to ensure that humanitarian considerations are integrated into 
> policy decisions” on geoengineering.
> 
> “Those who could suffer the worst outcomes need to be involved,” they say.
> 
> The paper also explores the humanitarian dimensions of geoengineering, 
> specifically relating to the management of solar radiation, and discusses how 
> to improve links between science, policy and humanitarian practice.
> 
> It raises concerns about what the authors call “predatory geoengineering” in 
> which powerful actors pursue climate goals that would help them but harm 
> others, especially vulnerable communities, and proposes a “geoengineering 
> risk-management framework” to protect the most vulnerable.
> 
> 
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