text:
Useful Links
- Date submitted: 1 Nov 2011
- Stakeholder type: Member State
- Name: Jamaica
- Submission Document: Download
Full SubmissionInput to the Compilation Document to serve as a basis for the preparation of the Zero Draft of the Outcome Document for Rio+20 Jamaica: Submission to the Compilation Document for Rio+20 Table of Contents I. Introduction and Background ...................................................................................................3 II. Comments on the Green Economy ............................................................................................6 III. Comments on the Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development (IFSD) ................... 10 IV. Priority Concerns/New and Emerging Challenges .................................................................. 14 References ...................................................................................................................................... 19 I. Introduction and Background A ��Special meeting/consultation�� of the Environment and Natural Resources Management/Sustainable Urban and Rural Development Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) of Vision 2030 Jamaica: National Development Plan was convened over two days (October 21 and October 25) to facilitate the sharing of information on the Rio+20 preparations and the preparation of Jamaica's contribution to the compilation text which UN member countries are required to submit by November 1, 2011. In addition to the members of the TWGs, other persons were also invited to broaden the stakeholder .based consultative process. The United Nations Development Programme in Jamaica facilitated this process. Representatives of the public sector, private sector, civil society and International Development Partners discussed the two themes of the conference in the form of questions suggested in the ��Co-Chairs�� Guidance Note1�� as well any other issues they wanted to raise with respect to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development.. This document is based on these discussions, as well as various documents that capture the official views of the government of Jamaica and the expressed views of representatives of the private sector and civil society in various other fora. In assessing the implementation of commitments arising from the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio in 1992, Barbados2 in 1994, WSSD3 in 2002 and Mauritius4 in 2005, it was concluded that progress has been ��mixed��. Some of the explanations offered for the less than optimal implementation rate are the inadequate resource flows to developing countries in general, and to SIDS in particular, the need for more coordination in implementing recommendations and new sustainable development initiatives at all three levels . international, regional and national . and national efforts to cope with the external shocks from changes in the global economy and natural hazards. It is well known that the promised international resource flows to fund sustainable development initiatives have not been forthcoming, and the already limited technical capacity of the countries of the region has been tightened by the outflows of high-skilled migrants to the developed countries. Of particular note, however, is that Jamaica has prepared ��Vision 2030 Jamaica . National Development Plan��, its first long-term development plan which provides a strategic road map to prepare the country for achieving developed country status by 2030. This plan envisages a major transformation of Jamaica from a middle-income developing country to one which affords its citizens a high quality of life and world class standards in critical areas including education, health care, nutrition, basic amenities, access to environmental goods and services, civility and social order. The goals of the Plan are that: 1. Jamaicans are Empowered to Achieve their Fullest Potential 2. The Jamaican Society is Secure, Cohesive and Just 3. Jamaica.s Economy is Prosperous 4. Jamaica has a Healthy Natural Environment. The country also has developed a Local Sustainable Development Planning Framework which is being implemented as part of the country.s local government reform process. Special note was also made that at the regional level, the Treaty of Chaguaramas has been revised to facilitate the deepening of the integration movement, and a regional energy policy has been drafted for the consideration of the Council of Trade and Economic Development (COTED). What are the expectations for the outcome of Rio+20, and what are the concrete proposals in this regard, including views on a possible structure of the Outcome document? Great emphasis is being placed on renewed political commitment at Rio +20, and indeed, such commitment has been indicated in virtually all major environmental and sustainable development negotiations. For Rio +20 to be different and not more of the same, there needs to be an agreement on how this commitment is to be expressed. By 2012, a new generation will have come of age, in many cases, having been exposed to the principles of sustainable development, the importance of protecting the environment, recovering much information on the state of degradation of natural resources and benefitted from an ease of communication not available twenty years ago. At each of the major summits, there have been presentations from young persons from different regions reminding decision-makers of their responsibilities to present and future generations. Rio+20 should assess the areas in which there has been progress and how, in practical terms, the negative results can be halted or reversed. Rio+20 could see increased focus on information for decision-making that is based on sound science and adequate data. One aspect of data management highlighted was that some information given in terms of averages may in fact ��hide�� the extremes . the areas which require most attention. Given the impact of social networking and rapid increases in communications technology and access to that technology, the role of education, conservation psychology and a focus on and measurement of well-being could also be considered. Apart from the structure of the outcome document, the important aspect is the impact it will have down to the local and individual level: i.e., what difference will the decisions make to the quality of life of people. We underline the need for firm commitments and subsequent implementation of same. The importance of the theme of the Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development should not be lost in the focus on the other theme of the Green Economy and the linkages between the two themes must be considered. For Small Island Developing States such as Jamaica, there is need for specific institutional arrangements for their sustainable development, building on the special programme for small island developing states included in Chapter 17 of Agenda 21. II. Comments on the Green Economy While the concept of the Green Economy is yet to be defined unambiguously, it is being used in the Caribbean to represent both an approach to development as well as a vision of an economy in which the three pillars of sustainable development . social, economic, and environmental development . are in synergy. The Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) Caribbean regional workshop in preparation for Rio + 20 endorsed the concept so long as it was ��pro-poor, pro-growth, and pro-jobs --- [and promoted] --- economic development that is equitable, sustainable and resilient��. Its overwhelming focus was on socio-economic development, governance, regional integration and cooperation with Latin America. In UNEP.s usage, the Green Economy will be ��low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive��. The WWF-UK emphasized ��maintaining natural capital, biodiversity and environmental services��. For SIDS, in addition to natural capital, access to financial, human and social capital are also of paramount importance. UNCSD must ensure that there is an agreed definition of the Green Economy and that it reflects the Principles of Sustainable Development as enshrined in the Rio Declaration. At the same time, there should be flexibility in its application based on specific circumstances. For Jamaica, the relevance of the concept of the Green Economy is embodied in the country.s national development plan, Vision 2030 Jamaica. Under Vision 2030 Jamaica, the green economy is closely related to that articulated by UNEP and further states that ��the rules for Government, business, investors and consumers will have to be rewritten to ensure that environmental considerations become integral factors in socio-economic decision-making��, thereby moving the country into the realm of the green economy. Additionally for enterprises, it proposes that the country.s productive enterprises move beyond simply minimizing their negative impacts on the natural environment, and begin to base new jobs and industries on the sustainable use of natural resources as well as the country.s unique environmental assets (for example developing renewable energy sources, promoting higher levels of organic agriculture and exploring the genetic potential for the countries endemic species). Within this context, Jamaica is able to propose a range of strategies that can be used to build its green economy and which also will have the dual effect of reducing the high levels of poverty experienced. Please see Approaches to the Green Economy at Appendix I The Report5 by a Panel of Experts to the Second Preparatory Committee Meeting for United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development on the ��Transition to a Green Economy�� cautions on a range of risks to developing countries with respect to Trade. This is especially important to Jamaica which has adopted an export-led growth strategy, even as traditional agricultural exports are losing preferential market access, the bauxite and alumina exports are losing their competitiveness because of high energy costs, and competition for the tourism dollar is intensifying both regionally and globally. SIDS have valid concerns regarding the potential for Trade distortions through the creation of international environmental benchmarks and standards which could place them at a disadvantage. Every effort must be made to ensure that the Green Economy does not become a market-driven concept that benefits only developed countries and creates barriers to Trade for developing countries. New and creative ways of financing green investments will be necessary to drive the economy along a sustainable development path that is at the same time internationally competitive. Inevitably, such investments will have to be financed with low cost funds. While the concept of the Green Economy concretizes sustainable development, the specific form that it must take for Jamaica, and in many ways, other countries in similar circumstances in the Caribbean, is yet to be worked out. That form must use the three pillars of sustainable development to redress the historic social inequities, build the economic base to generate the employment and incomes to support the standard of living described in Vision 2030, and enhance the resilience of the economy and the society to shocks from the global economy and natural hazards. In short, each country should apply the concept of the Green Economy creatively to bring the poor into the centre of economic growth and development and to improve the lives of the populace in general. Two of the most far-reaching shocks are the volatile and rising prices of food and energy. Both international food and petroleum prices are projected to rise over the long term. The approach of the Green Economy must therefore address food security as well as minimizing the dependence on imported petroleum. Food prices will reflect tightening supply conditions both because of physical resource constraints as well as the impact of climate change on agricultural production systems. The global climate will be changing over the coming century and longer, even if the greenhouse gas emissions could be cut back now. The high level of vulnerability of SIDS in general to climate change, natural disasters and sea level rise also serve to constrain the transition to a Green Economy. The pressures of rising prices and changing climate are long-run phenomena. Yet, in the context of the still lingering global economic crisis and in the wake of increasingly frequent hurricanes, tropical storms and depressions, and other extreme wind and water events, the transition away from the economic stagnation and inequity is urgent. The strengthening of the rural economy in particular, reduced dependence on exports and diversification of the economy, moving away from dependence on tourism and other traditional sectors are also important. Building a Green Economy requires the appropriate investments and technology for sustainable production and consumption processes. Developing countries, and particularly SIDS, like Jamaica need financial flows from the international community under conditions that they can afford. Already heavily indebted, Jamaica needs grants and very soft loans which it cannot now access because of its classification as a middle income country. In an economy with a relatively high Gini coefficient of 0.39 in 2002 reflecting the skewed distribution of income, the average per capita GDP hides the dispersion around the mean to the disadvantage of the vulnerable population with low incomes. ��The Middle Income Trap�� remains a challenge to many SIDS. GDP remains an inadequate measure of economic performance as it does not reflect economic well-being. Furthermore, it masks inequalities and other challenges confronting the country at different levels. Importantly, this impedes our capacity to source concessionary financing to facilitate the achievement of development objectives, thus increasing the debt-to-GDP ratio. Many SIDS have debt, well above 100% of GDP, which impacts negatively on their investment capacity and economic growth. This mounting indebtedness will undoubtedly affect progress in achieving a Green Economy taking into account the demand on limited resources. UNCSD must address creatively the issues both of raising the volume and rate of financial flows to SIDS to the level of 0.7% of GDP per annum already committed by the developed countries, and of relaxing the restrictions on eligibility for middle income countries like Jamaica. One important prerequisite for accomplishing the transition to a Green Economy will be technological innovation including inter alia renewable energy, electric/hybrid vehicles, ��green�� buildings, recycling, research and development. SIDS will need easier and more affordable access to technology, and as such UNCSD must also address the long-standing development issue of technology transfer to developing countries. The capacity of the GoJ to chart and manage the Jamaica-specific path to the Green Economy has to be enhanced with the requisite training of technical staff and the resources for data collection and analysis to support decision-making. This is yet another area that UNCSD must attend to with commitments for resource flows and information sharing. As with proposals to reduce the licensing costs of green technology, so UNCSD must devise ways to minimize the information costs to governments of SIDS. Cultural diversity plays an important role in social and economic development and as such, is an essential component of human development. It represents a source of identity and creativity for the individual as well as the community and as such, it is an important factor in social inclusion and poverty eradication. Being mindful of the far reaching effects of globalization in terms of its ability to erode indigenous practices or cultural diversity it is expected that an outcome of the Rio+20 conference will serve to raise public awareness of the importance of cultural diversity for sustainable development and preserve the cultural development of each state, especially those of developing countries through built in safeguards for the protection of culture and the creators of culture. The application of the Green Economy should not erode the cultural heritage of developing countries III. Comments on the Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development (IFSD) Coordination of the implementation of the sustainable development initiatives across the various institutions in the UN system is needed to bring coherence to action around specific issues. Similarly, coordination of actions is necessary for both efficient and effective resource use in broad areas, such as the international food crisis, and even across areas where there may be conflicts that require Trade-offs, such as between the returns from intellectual property and access to medicines and environmental technology6. One of the challenges for the participants in the UNCSD will be to further the discussions that were begun at UNCED in 1992 on improving the coordination. This discussion has progressed through all of the summits since UNCED, and there are currently processes that will feed into UNCSD in 2012. For developing countries, particularly Small Island Developing States like Jamaica which are custodians of the richest biodiversity and the most vulnerable ecosystems, the international institutional framework for sustainable development represents an important forum for the advancement of national and international development objectives on sustainable development. As such, any change to the institutional framework should take into account and promote the peculiarities and unique interests of SIDS. Several proposals have been put forward for the enhancement or overhauling of the institutional framework. Two of the main sets are from the Nairobi-Helsinki Outcome adopted by Consultative Group of Ministers or High-level Representatives on International Environmental Governance, and the High Level Dialogue on IFSD held in Solo, Indonesia. The Nairobi-Helsinki Outcome identified the following: (a) enhancing UNEP; (b) establishing a new umbrella organization for sustainable development; (c) creating a specialized agency such as a world environment organization; (d) introducing possible reforms to ECOSOC and the CSD; and (e) enhanced institutional reforms and streamlining of present structures. Some of the ��messages�� coming from the High Level meeting on IFSD in Solo, Indonesia, 2011 were: a) enhanced mandate for ECOSOC b) review of the role of the CSD c) establishment of an umbrella institution d) establishment of a sustainable development council e) strengthening of UNEP While the need for reform is critical, the establishment of new institution(s) is not the preferred option. Institutional reforms should ideally be undertaken by streamlining current structures. Additionally, reform should not result in additional financial burden for developing countries particularly SIDS, but rather seek to earmark additional resources for these countries. UNEP remains the ��principal United Nations body in the field of the environment�� and therefore forms an important component of the sustainable development architecture; thus, strengthening its capacity should be an important priority in any effort to improve international environmental governance. The WWF-UK advanced strongly the position that UNEP should be upgraded and enabled to play a role in governance of IMF, IBRD, and the WTO so as to bring finance and sustainable development together7. Multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) are key components of the international environmental governance framework. While the plethora of MEAs has constrained developing countries. financial and human capacities, clustering of MEAs must not be advanced as a panacea. The international community must be mindful of the danger of eroding the mandates of MEAs over time. Any change to the IEG should assure developing countries that the mandates of MEAs will be maintained and respected. There should be emphasis on coordinating reporting obligations to facilitate optimal use of limited human resources in developing countries. In realistic terms, given the number of action plans from the international and regional levels which are to be implemented, countries need to select which ones they consider as priority or have the resources to implement. There is need for simplification and harmonization of the plans of action instead of the continuing elaboration of new plans. At the heart of the current international environmental governance framework is the failure to implement sustainable development commitments. The system should seek to ensure compliance with environmental agreements. There should be equitable compliance systems/regimes that monitor commitments of not only developing countries but the developed as well. Additional features of an improved institutional framework which are of critical importance include: a. Increased funding including special allotment for SIDS; b. Increased capacity-building particularly in the areas of research and science and technology; c. information-sharing and technology transfer; and d. More effective review and monitoring systems and enhanced focus on implementation. From the perspective of Jamaica and the rest of the SIDS, the issue is which of the proposals will best address the interests of the SIDS and other small states. The SIDS Unit of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the UN that was set up after the Barbados Conference in 1994 has not been as effective as envisaged. Indeed, some argue that progress in implementation at the regional level has been partly due to regional bodies, such as SPREP8 in the Pacific, and to a lesser extent CARICOM in the Caribbean because its mandate is less inclusive. Jamaica supports the position agreed by CARICOM ��that any framework which evolves under the theme ��Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development�� must be so designed as to provide a clear institutional mechanism, to address, in a concrete and focused manner, the sustainable development of the most vulnerable countries (i.e. SIDS and LDCs), at the global and regional levels. Such a mechanism must provide, inter alia, a context for enhanced UN coherence; the facilitation of adequate and predictable financial resources to facilitate transition to sustainable green economies, given the financial gap which exists on most of these countries as well as commitment to capacity development and technology transfer, underpinned by sound science. One approach to securing the interests of SIDS in the implementation of the sustainable development initiatives endorsed by UNCSD is to incorporating a dedicated structure/mechanism for SIDS into the existing institutions. A SIDS Sustainable Development Commission could be established with regional nodes focusing on the specific interests of the respective regions where SIDS are located. For Jamaica and the other SIDS, the reform of the IFSD must be articulated with improvements in the regional, national and even local coordination. The involvement of local communities in forest management committees and in parish development committees is proving to be an effective means of obtaining buy-in and support of initiatives to protect the environment and encourage sustainable livelihoods. The Secretary General��s report of August 2011 (A/66/287) on the further implementation of Agenda 21 notes that "Another important element at the regional and national levels is improving analysis, assessment and scientific research, as well as monitoring and accountability. In this regard, there is a role not only for international institutions, which, can help in monitoring and accountability, but also for regional and national institutions, which, with their presence on the ground, can support national and local analysis, data gathering and assessment and build national and local capacity for analysis, establishment and enforcement of regulatory and incentive frameworks." We fully endorse this statement. It is imperative that effective regional coordination be developed within the Caribbean region, There is need for negotiating positions to be established for the region and for standards to be agreed for all the countries. In this regard, the Cartagena Convention and its Protocols in the implementation of the Caribbean Environment Programme can support regional environmental policy development and establishment of standards particularly in terms of the protection of the Caribbean Sea. The challenges for each country in terms of new developments in science and technology such as the use of nano-technology, chemicals management and so on would best be faced from a regional perspective. Within the Caribbean region, while some mainstreaming of sustainable development has been achieved, especially with the help of regional projects and joint activities by regional institurions, the structure of governments around portfolios does not readily accommodate cross-cutting issues such as sustainable development. Rio+20 must reaffirm the principles of sustainable development agreed at UNCED and redouble the implementation efforts mandated by WSSD and the MSI. It is essential to find the appropriate synergies among the three pillars of sustainable development . economic, social, and environmental. This is the only way that a country like Jamaica will be able to tackle the development issues that are necessary to eliminate poverty and social inequalities and improve the standard of living of the general populace, while protecting and even enhancing the environmental services available to and accessible by future generations. In the past, the dominance of the environmental concerns of the international conferences over the social and economic concerns of developing countries is a part of the explanation for the slow buy-in of governments and hence the less than enthusiastic implementation of the recommendations. IV. Priority Concerns/New and Emerging Challenges Since Rio, the frequency and intensity of severe weather events and natural disasters have risen sharply. ECLAC estimated the damage to the region over the past two decades to be US$136 billion9. The negative impacts these have had on the socio-economic development of the region has been compounded by the high volatility of petroleum-based energy prices around a secular increasing trend, rapid food price increases beginning in 2007, and most recently the global financial crisis of 2008 from which the region is yet to emerge. The 4th Assessment of the IPCC projected rising temperatures, changing patterns of precipitation, the rising level of the Caribbean Sea, and more intense hurricanes. Indeed, there is a strong view that the severe weather events are manifestations of climate change that will proceed throughout the 21 century and perhaps beyond at the expense of all island states and the coasts of Central and South America. All of these point to the vulnerability of Jamaica and the Caribbean to environmental shocks in the form of natural hazards and to shocks to the economy and society emanating from the dynamics of the global economy. The environmental vulnerability calls for resilience-building actions by way of adaptations to climate change. Vulnerability to external economic shocks points to the need for special aid, Trade, investment and technology transfer considerations to be given to SIDS as they re-engineer their economies for more resilience and re-position them in a rapidly changing global economy. Key environmental issues for sustainable development in Jamaica are increasing the share of renewable energy sources in the national energy supply, managing resources for sustainable tourism as well as the economic and environmental services needs of the citizens, management of waste through recycling and other means that protect the environment, and food security, adaptation to climate change, disaster risk reduction, and rural and urban planning. Jamaica is endowed with ample resources of freshwater, but much of it is at risk from improper disposal of toxic waste from mining and commercial agriculture and waste from hotels and households. The threat of salination of groundwater sources from sea level rise underlines the urgency of managing freshwater resources in a sustainable fashion. Jamaica made rapid progress over the last two decades in the fight against poverty, but has lost some ground since the food crisis in 2007 and the global crisis in the following year that led to the collapse of exports and the curtailing of remittances. Inevitably, the economic shocks led to loss of employment and incomes with the attendant pressures on the household and the social system. There is evidence that women, children and other vulnerable groups have suffered disproportionately from the food and global financial crises. Poverty, crime and other anti-social behavior are the principal social issues to be addressed by strategies for inclusive economic growth. The recent experience with the global economy has highlighted the fragility of development gains for vulnerable countries. The mandate of Mauritius to build the resilience of SIDS continues to be relevant. Jamaica and other SIDS are ocean-based states and therefore have vested interests in the protection and preservation of the marine environment and the sustainable use of its resources for economic and social development. Caribbean countries are highly vulnerable to natural disasters and oil spills and other waste from ships, as well as other threats to sustainable development and tourism, the region.s leading industry. The Caribbean must be enabled to monitor and control pollution by ships and land-based sources, as well as illegal fishing by states external to the region as set out in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI), Beyond that, the region needs the scientific research and the relevant technology for the sustainable exploitation of the marine resources. SIDS should ensure that UNCSD addresses the same oceans issues which they have traditionally highlighted within the context of the BPoA and MSI, confirms the earlier decisions, and secures commitments for the means to implement them. UNCSD must seek to have the developed countries renew their commitments for the transfer of financial resources and affordable technology to support all three pillars of sustainable development. It is essential that special and differential treatment be accorded to SIDS within the outcomes of the conference on the well-established basis of their extreme vulnerability. The MSI called for SIDS to build partnerships with the international community and among themselves. While it is important that the developed countries meet their commitments, there are new engines from the South in the global economy which should commit to transferring some of their dynamism to SIDS as well as provide assistance toward building their resilience. Food security may well be a relatively easy platform to forge South-South relations in the context of Rio+20. These relations should go beyond governments, especially to business groups exporting goods and supplying services to the international economy, and to professional groups supplying high value development services to the local economy. Governments and business groups of developed countries and leaders of the South countries should commit to forging relationships with business groups in SIDS which are trying to enter new markets with green technologies. Similarly, their professional groups should partner with their counterparts in SIDS to enhance the quantity and quality of social and economic services while building local capacity. Among the emerging challenges facing Jamaica are: a. The over-exploitation of natural resources continues to be a threat: for example, the rapid depletion of fish stocks. For some time, there has been overfishing by commercial vessels from outside the region and local fishermen catching juvenile fish. b. Invasive alien species threaten both the terrestrial and the marine resources. For example, the invasion of the lion fish, which is presenting a formidable threat to the region.s fisheries. c. Vision 2030 identified environmental degradation of watersheds and reefs as increasing the risk of disaster from landslides and hurricanes. It cited practices of improper waste disposal, removal of forest cover, poor land practices and squatting. Land management has become a major policy issue for the government. d. Agriculture continues to lose land to other sectors such as housing and tourism, thereby weakening the capacity of local food supplies to contribute to food security. There appears to be a shift back from food security in light of decline in accessibility to and affordability of international food supplies; with climate change, it will be increasingly difficult to access such supplies. e. Collection and accessibility of data for management of the environment. For example, there is need for data to list the plants and animals that are endangered. Access to current data is also critical for planning (as in the preparation of spatial plans) and for modeling the potential impact of climate change. f. In terms of access to information, Jamaica already has in place legislation to deal with access to information and the carrying out of environmental impact assessments and has drafted legislation on pollution release and transfer registers, third party rights of appeal, etc. Notwithstanding concerns about the growing number of treaties, Jamaica considers that a regional agreement, taking into account Rio Principle 10, based on the Aarhus Convention would enhance public participation in the decision making process. g. Addressing socio-economic issues such as rising unemployment and poverty levels and high levels of crime h. Providing effective focus on Youth - in terms of the quality of education and opportunities for employment and income in sustainable development activities... Further, the Youth and other major groups such as the elderly and the handicapped have to be granted a more substantive voice in national consultations i. Aging of population . it is estimated that by 2025, 15% of the population will be over 60 years old j. HIV/AIDS . progress on MDG-6, combating HIV/AIDS has to be enhanced k. Institutionalization of environmental stewardship . promoting conservation and minimization of waste, given the health, economic and environmental co-benefits for the public and private sectors, communities and individuals. References 1. Tide-Global Learning, ��Rio narrative from Education Dialogue Group ( EDG)�� 2. Canari, ��Caribbean Dialogue Regional Workshop Report��, Trinidad and Tobago, February 2-3, 2011 3. WWF-UK, ��Evidence for the Environmental Audit Committee Inquiry into Preparations for Rio+20: The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development��, August 26, 2011 4. David Smith, ��The Green Economy and SD in SIDS��, Institute for Sustainable Development, UWI, presentation to special meeting of the Environment and Natural Resources Management/Sustainable Urban and Rural Development Thematic Working Groups of Vision 2030 Jamaica: National Development Plan, October 21, 2011 5. ��The Transition to a Green Economy: Benefits, Challenges and Risks from a Sustainable Development Perspective��, Report by a Panel of Experts to the Second Preparatory Committee Meeting for United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 6. L. Barnaby, ��Institutional Strengthening for Sustainable Development and Regional Implications for the Caribbean��, Ministry of Housing, Environment and Water, Jamaica, [September 2011] Appendix 1: Key Proposals for Building a Green Economy and Eradicating Poverty In the area of health of the country��s population key strategies/proposals include: Recognizing that an unhealthy environment presents the risk of supporting and spreading diseases, vectors of diseases, as well as the population becoming exposed to poor air quality and also hazardous waste. Key areas of emphasis could be Identifying and assessing the linkages between health and the state of the natural environment and defining appropriate long-term strategies to anticipate changing environmental conditions Infusing climate change issues in the country.s national health policy In the area of area of social protection key strategies/proposals include: Infusing poverty and vulnerability issues into all public policies thereby giving consideration to the impact of various sectoral policies on vulnerable groups, including gender differentials. This will have the effect of maximizing efforts to improve the lives of the poor amongst the population. Expanding opportunities for pursuing sustainable livelihoods that will assist the poor to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty and enable them to meet their daily subsistence in an manner that is dignified, locally appropriate and environmentally sustainable. Ensuring safe, sanitary and affordable shelter for all by embodying the concept that shelter represents a broad continuum of affordable and appropriate housing option related to the income of target groups but which is also inclusive and in an aesthetically pleasing community Locating housing settlements in areas that minimize vulnerability to natural hazards In the area of culture, key strategies/proposals include: Preserving, developing and promoting the country.s cultural heritage which are its artifacts, sites, music, poetry and history. In the area of governance, key strategies/proposals include: Strengthening the current model of governance to overcome the various challenges that cut across the country.s developmental spheres and pursuing strategies such as strengthening the process of citizen participation in governance by providing an enabling environment in which decision making and service delivery is brought closer to all citizens, thereby empowering citizens and communities to have a greater say in the management of their own affairs and in national policy making that affect their quality of life. Strengthening public institutions such as those involved in managing natural resources and ecosystems to become more efficient, productive, transparent and accountable and table into account the needs and interests of all citizens as the country pursues the path to sustainable prosperity In the area of economic development, key strategies/proposals include: Creating stable and predictable macroeconomic conditions such as reducing the country.s high levels of inflation, stabilizing the exchange rate, maintaining price stability and ensuring the existence of sustainable fiscal balances by pursing fiscal and debt sustainability policies that would place the Government in a better position to finance environmental protection and conservation efforts as well as to be able to give tax breaks to corporations for employing the use of cleaner technologies for example. Increasing access to capital towards long term economic development and allowing for greater levels of private sector investment by supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in pursuit of the green economy and poverty eradication. Reforming the labour market and ensuring that education and training programmes equip workers to be able to take-up green jobs as the country pursues the competiveness of its productive enterprises through the pursuit of the green economy Improving the capabilities of micro, small and medium sized enterprises to seize the opportunities created by pursing the greening of the economy and build their capacities to pursue business that sustainably manage and use environmental resources in the quest for profitability In the area of infrastructural development, key strategies/proposals include: Reducing the impact of the transportation sector on the natural environment by pursing sustainable transport practices that could include: better traffic management strategies for reduce air pollution, development of policies that would support reduction in ship-borne wastes as well as the introduction of invasive species in ballast water as well as identifying opportunities that would allow for the reduction in the use of fossil fuels in the transportation sector. Capitalizing on the extensive growth of the telecommunications network to educate the population about the green economy Improving water and sanitation services both for environmental protection as well as a mechanism for poverty eradication. In the area of energy conservation, efficiency security, key strategies/proposals include: Developing a long-term national energy policy to create a modern, efficient, diversified and environmentally sustainable energy sector that provides affordable and accessible energy supplies with long-term energy security that contributes to the country.s competitiveness. Diversifying energy supplies by creating a stable regulatory framework to effectively facilitate the deployment of renewable energy technologies such as those related to wind, solar, and biomass among others, thereby simultaneously reducing the country.s need to spend foreign exchange on the importation of fossil fuels. Exploring opportunities for energy conservation and efficiency that would involve households and businesses aggressively and continuously adopt energy conservation and efficiency practices towards reducing the carbon footprint; ensuring that the Government becomes the leader in energy conservation and efficiency and sets the standard for all other sectors; modernizing the country.s energy plants Recognizing that biofuels present an emerging opportunity because they form part of the multi-faceted approach towards increasing energy security and reducing the use of fuel sources that pollute the natural environment for use as transportation fuels, in electricity generation and other energy needs Creating an energy-from-waste sector that produces clean energy from indigenous materials towards reduction in the use of petroleum, eases the oil bill burden on the country, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, reduces the amount of land used for disposal sites and improves waste management generally. In the area of agriculture, key strategies/proposals include: Increasing the application of environmental best practices in the agricultural sector moving towards more sustainable agricultural practices by promoting zero waste production and processing in agriculture; developing organic farming as a major mode of production in the sector; and creating strategies that would enable the sector to adapt to a changing climate In the area of manufacturing, key strategies/proposals include: Enabling the manufacturing sector to transition to and adopt green economy practices by creating the enabling environment for enterprises to pursue higher levels of productivity and value-added production using efficient and clean technologies and adopting environmentally sustainable processes that embody zero pollution, zero waste processing, low energy consumption, zero health hazards to workers and efficient use of resources In the area of mining, key strategies/proposals include: Creating a path for the development of the minerals sector that recognizes environmental management as a high priority; recognizes the importance of socio-economic impact assessments and social planning in mining operations; establishes environmental accountability in industry and government at the highest management and policy-making levels; encourages employees at all levels to recognize their responsibility for environmental management; ensures the participation of, and dialogue with, affected mining communities; adopts best practices to minimize environmental degradation; adopt risk analysis and risk management in the development of regulations and in the design, operation, and decommissioning of mining activities; and adopt environmentally sound technologies in all phases of mining activities. In the area of tourism, key strategies/proposals include: Supporting the further growth of a dynamic tourism sector within a sustainably managed natural environment and ensure that all activities of the tourism sector support national biodiversity conservation objectives; promote the application of local sustainable development planning principles to resort areas; facilitate the development and implementation of environmental management systems in tourism entities; and develop climate change adaptation strategies for the sector In the area of construction, key strategies/proposals include: Supporting the development of an internationally competitive construction sector that supports economic development but in an environmentally sustainable manner, adopting and adapting to new and clean construction technologies that results in reduction and elimination of waste in construction as a result of better designs; develops approaches for the reuse and recycling of construction materials; and practices high levels of energy conservation. In the area of sustainable management and use of environmental and natural resources, key strategies/proposals include: Increasing environmental awareness of the general population and their participation in the management of natural resources Promoting initiatives that would halt or reverse unsustainable production and consumption patterns which are increasingly threatening the health of the country.s ecosystems and biological diversity. Providing an effective regulatory framework which binds the Government and the people including constitutional and legislative reform which emphasizes each citizen.s right to a healthy environment Incorporating environmental considerations into decision-making processes such as national policies Ensuring that development takes place within the limits of natural resources Creating informed and committed leadership who are champions for environmental conservation and protection Preserving and renewing ecological capital Building capacity for collecting and analyzing data to spot emerging problems, assess policy options and gauge the effectiveness of environmental programmes Developing and implementing mechanisms for biodiversity conservation and ecosystems management Strengthening the capacity of local organizations to facilitate citizen participation in sustainable management of their local natural resources Creating an appropriate institutional framework for the integrated management of all types of waste, including integrating communities and private sector participation in the management of waste and creating incentives for the development of markets for waste that include waste-to-energy conversion, recycling, and zero waste processing In the area of urban and rural development, key strategies/proposals include: Creating a framework for both urban and rural development that supports sustainable development though the preparation of a spatial arrangement of land use that facilitates social and economic development of all areas , respects the environment while at the same time satisfying citizens. prospects for pursuing sustainable livelihoods Facilitating and promoting sustainable patterns of urban and rural development that meet socio-economic and environmental objectives, but with an emphasis on improving the quality of life of all citizens Designing and developing communities that are in harmony with the natural environment Creating sustainable urban centres and focus on urban renewal and upgrading through the development of ecologically friendly buildings, construction and transport systems; minimizing urban sprawl; facilitating conservation of historic sites and cultural heritage in urban areas; and developing facilities for recreation and social interaction. Creating vibrant and diversified rural areas that promote growth, accelerate social development, and reduce poverty while protecting the environment In the area of climate change adaptation, key strategies/proposals include: Advancing and mainstreaming disaster management and climate change into socio-economic decision-making processes as well as development initiatives with the objective of avoiding or minimizing the impact of hazards related to climate change and increasing the coping capacity of all sectors and particularly vulnerable groups. Creating mechanisms to fully consider the impacts of climate change to consider climate change and to .climate proof. all national policies and plans Undertaking research to identify sector-specific strategies for adaptation Adopting best practices for climate change adaptation Applying disaster reduction frameworks to strengthen climate change mitigation measures


text:
Travel report Geneva
Geneva, according to travel reports, is not only Switzerland's second largest city but, after Zurich, also its second largest financial centre. Yet Geneva is much more than a city of banks. Travel guides point to the city's international importance as the home of the United Nations Office (UNOG), the World Trade Organization and the Red Cross. The Palace of Nations and the Art and History Museum are just some of the places of interest in the city. Geneva is often referred to as the "city of parks" as over 20 per cent of the city consists of parks and green spaces; the English landscape garden, the 'Jardin Anglais', is especially worth seeing. The city's location on the largest lake in Switzerland, Lake Geneva, makes Geneva especially attractive. The fountain in the middle of the Rade, Geneva's harbour, is a special attraction on the lake.
To the official tourist site for Geneva
Currency converter
Here you can convert your currency accurately, using today's exchange rate
Airport information on Geneva Airport
Find all information about Geneva Airport here. A detailed site plan, addresses, renting a car, public transport, car parks, accessibility and where to shop.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Mavis Rose Rickman, 90, of Stuttgart passed away Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, at Baptist Health-Stuttgart.
Mrs. Rickman was born April 28, 1922, in Pendleton, Ore., to Lloyd and Agnes Nettie Rickert.
She attended Holy Rosary Catholic Church where she was a member of the Altar Society. A Navy veteran, she was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for over 30 years. She loved to cook, sew and garden.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Marian Petshow; and an infant brother, George Neil Rickert.
Survivors are her husband of 49 years, Garland Rickman; and two sisters, Carol Eberdt and Laurel Rickert of Portland, Ore.
Funeral services, officiated by Dr. David Bush, are 3 p.m. Sunday at Turpin Funeral Home chapel. Visitation is 5-7 p.m. Saturday at Turpin Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to American Legion Auxiliary or Holy Rosary Altar Society.
Please go to www.turpinco.com to sign the online guestbook.
Location, ST | website.com


text:
At BlackRock, we work together with pride and passion to help millions of investors around the world build better financial futures.
Passion for Performance, Commitment to Clients
Our people are passionate about what they do and intensely focused on performing at the highest levels. They are dedicated to putting the needs of clients first and to bringing new and innovative approaches to their work. They challenge themselves and others, and insist on the highest ethical standards.


text:
Welcome Guest!
Sign In
New Guest
A 14K rose-gold pendant set with one round "Chocolate" Tahitian Pearl, 11-12mm and bronze in color, with fifteen faceted round Diamonds totaling 0.47 carats, total weight, without chain. Approximately L: 1 3/4" W: 5/8"
Copyright and trademark laws under U.S. and international law protect this site. All rights reserved. ©1999-2016. 1-800-253-6016


text:
The Township of Montville is soliciting qualified firms
or individuals to provide Prosecutorial Services and Public Defender Services.
Request for
Proposals are available below or in the Department of Administration
at 195 Changebridge Road,
Montville, NJ 07045.
Proposals will
be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 6, 2012, in the
Office of the Administrator, Township
of Montville, 195 Changebridge Road, Montville, NJ 07045 or mailed to the attention of Victor
M. Canning, Township Administrator.
The award
of a contractual agreement for the described services will be made by the Township of Montville
based on the respondent's qualifications including, but not limited to the
following: cost of services, references,
knowledge and interpretation of the Township
of Montville's Municipal
Court needs and experience as a Municipal Prosecutor or Public Defender.
Victor M. Canning
Township Administrator
Request for Proposals: Municipal Prosecutor
Request for Proposals: Municipal Public Defender


text:
Autzen Stadium
Directions to Autzen Stadium
From I-5 North
- Take exit 194B to merge onto I-105 W/OR-126 W toward Eugene
- Take exit 2 for Coburg Rd toward Downtown
- Keep left at the fork, follow signs for University of Oregon and merge onto Coburg Rd PixelPirate Designs
- Turn right onto Country Club Rd
- Turn left to stay on Country Club Rd
- Turn left onto Club Rd
- Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
- Turn right onto Leo Harris Pkwy Destination will be on the left
From I-5 South
- Take exit 194B to merge onto OR-126 W toward Eugene/I-105 W
- Continue onto I-105 W
- Take exit 2 for Coburg Rd toward Downtown
- Keep left at the fork, follow signs for University of Oregon and merge onto Coburg Rd
- Turn right onto Country Club Rd
- Turn left to stay on Country Club Rd
- Turn left onto Club Rd
- Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
- Turn right onto Leo Harris Pkwy Destination will be on the left
Car and RV Parking
The parking lot will open four hours prior to kickoff and a Reserved parking pass will be required for entry. All Reserved parking passes are given out as a donor benefit to members of the Duck Athletic Fund, and are non-transferable. Accessible (ADA) parking is available through Entry 5. ADA parking requires a DMV disabled placard or license plate and costs $20 per game.
Please feel free to view a map of the Autzen lot by clicking below.
2013 Autzen Stadium Numbered Parking Map
Reserved Parking
If your reserved space is north of the Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium, it is recommended you enter the lot through Entry 2 or 3. If your bumper is south of the Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium, it is recommended you enter the lot through Entry 4 or 5. Motor homes will be directed to their reserved location through Entry 4.
RV Parking
Please note that RV parking in the Autzen Stadium lot is only available with a reserved parking pass. There is no individual game parking available in the Autzen Lot.
Tailgating in one of the Autzen Stadium lots is meant for small family and friend gatherings. Car parking spaces are 9x20 and RV spaces are 18x40. All tailgating must be contained within those dimensions. For larger groups please contact Hospitality Services at 541/346-4475.
Science Factory Parking
Season and single game advance parking passes are available adjacent to Autzen Stadium at lots managed by the Science Factory. University of Oregon Alumni Association members receive a 10% discount. For maps and pricing information, please see the Science Factory's web site
Park and Walk
Fans parking on city streets and neighborhoods should comply with all posted parking restrictions, as they are enforced by the City of Eugene. Individuals parking and walking to events should review parking information available below:
EParkEugene.com | Parking.UOregon.edu | Arena Parking District
Charter bus parking is available on Leo Harris Parkway for $80/bus. Prepaid passes are available and recommended. Contact 541-346-5312 for more information.
Bicycle Parking – Duck Pen
Secured bicycle parking will be available for each home football game at the rate of $1 per bicycle. The Duck Pen, serviced and supervised by the Eugene Active 20-30 Club, will open three hours prior to kickoff and close one hour after the game. This secured bicycle area is well-lit and is located between the Science Factory and the Autzen Footbridge. Proceeds collected from bicycle parking will be donated to various children's charities in lane county.
UO DuckExpress – BUS Shuttles
The Sports Shuttles provide the fastest, easiest, and least expensive transportation to Autzen Stadium on game days. The per game cost of a round trip is only $3.50 for Adults and $1.75 for Children/Seniors, and is collected during pre-game boarding. The DUCKExpress Season Pass, $24.50 for Adults and $12.25 Child/Senior, is good for all seven home games. Purchase your season pass online at LTD.org or at the LTD Eugene Station's Customer Service Center.
- LTD Eugene Station (Bay I)
- Lane County Fairgrounds (13th & Jackson)
- South Eugene High School (19th & Patterson)
- Valley River Center – Parking Limited (Northwest parking lot)
- LTD River Road Station (River RD. & Beltline)
- Symantec (555 International Way)
- LTD Springfield Station (355 South A St.)
- Thurston High School (333 59th St.)
Shuttle service to Autzen Stadium begins 4 hours before game time. Buses run every 10 to 20 minutes from 8 Park & Ride locations.
Return trips from Autzen Stadium to Park & Ride locations are available ONLY during halftime and immediately following the game. Post-game departures will continue for 60 minutes after the game ends.


text:
/kWh †
Stable-rate and green products available!
Call now for our best rates!
TXU Energy: Grand Prairie, TX
Here in Texas, residents and business owners have opportunities when it comes to electricity that many people around the country simply don't have. Since 2002, the electricity market in much of the state has been deregulated, meaning that customers have a choice as to what company they purchase their electricity supply from. There are many retailers, including TXU Energy, Grand Prairie customers can choose from, so there's no need to rush into things.
If you're ready to start exploring your options but aren't sure where to begin, you're in luck. TexasElectricityProviders.com gives you access to important information about some of the biggest electric companies in the state, including TXU Energy. Grand Prairie residents with the chance to choose who controls their electricity supply can do a lot of valuable research right here thanks to a variety of helpful resources. Remember, retail providers including TXU Energy are only available as alternatives in deregulated markets across Texas. Because some parts of the state aren't open to competition yet, the best way to see if you live or do business in an area of Grand Prairie where you have the opportunity to shop for competitive electricity suppliers is to call.
Taking Control of Your Electricity Costs
There are a lot of things that factor into how much money you'll wind up spending each month on electricity, including much more than whether you choose to purchase your electricity supply from TXU Energy. Grand Prairie residents, that's not to say you shouldn't be concerned with how much you're spending on electricity rates, but there are many other things that may be even easier for you to control that will have a noticeable impact on your bottom line.
Believe it or not, acting on a few well-planned energy-saving tips could save you just as much as finding a great deal on electricity from a provider such as TXU Energy. Grand Prairie residents, you can take more control over your energy costs just by making a few simply changes around your house. Swapping out all your old incandescent light bulbs for CFLs or LEDs is a great first step. From there, try altering your room temperature by a few degrees. The jump from 72 to 70 degrees on your thermostat in the winter won't feel that different, but it will definitely affect your bills.
A major factor in the electricity rates available to you is the weather in your area. Grand Prairie homeowners will spend the majority of their energy bills on the cost to heat or cool their homes. That's why even small adjustments to your thermostat can have such a major impact. If you have more money to spend, you might want to think about updating some of the windows in your house for better insulation. A drafty window can let expensive heated or cooled air leak out into the world! No matter what steps you've already taken to make your home more efficient, there are probably simple things you can do that you just haven't thought of yet. See how you can start saving even more money on your monthly energy with the energy saving tips on this site!
Sort by:
- Company
- Product
- Term
- Rate
Sorry we found no results for TXU Energy in the Area area.
Reliant Clear Flex Plan
per kWh
For Comparison Purposes Only**
Reliant Clear Flex Plan
per kWh
Other Locations in the Grand Prairie, TX, Area
|Cedar Hill
|Farmers Branch
|Highland Park
|North Richland Hills
|Richland Hills
Show Your Support for Green Energy
Today, renewable energy is more affordable than ever before. As a result, green energy plans are now available from many of the most popular energy retailers in Texas, such as TXU Energy. Grand Prairie residents may find it easier to support green energy through a retailer package as an alternative to going the extra mile by installing wind or solar technologies on their property. Still, if you're compelled to install your own infrastructure, you might even make money depending on the capacity of your setup.
Texas has an ideal set of conditions for both small-scale wind and solar installations. Home electricity generation offers the potential for never having to pay for your electricity supply again. If you generate more electricity that you consume, you can sell your surplus to others on the energy market. On the flip side, if you are only able to generate a portion of your electricity supply, you can continue to purchase electricity from a supplier such as TXU Energy. Grand Prairie residents, do your part today by making an investment in green energy, no matter how big or small your contribution can be.


text:
Contact Us
David Duncan
Director, Scientific Assessment and Workforce Development
Work: 865.576.3424
Skip to section navigation
Skip to content
ORISE manages scholarship, fellowship, internship and research participation programs that support DOE's workforce development mission to ensure availability of future scientists and engineers.
National security and emergency management services are provided through ORAU, the managing contractor of DOE's Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.
ORISE provides expertise in the medical management of radiation incidents through the operation of the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS), a dedicated DOE facility located in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
ORISE provides DOE and the scientific community with important information regarding the long-term health outcomes affecting current and former energy workers.
ORISE collaborates with federal, state and local agencies to provide health communication and training solutions that enhance the well-being of the public and the nation's workers.
ORISE manages a credible and customizable peer review process that is helping DOE and other government agencies make informed decisions about the quality of the science they pursue.
The University Radioactive Ion Beam (UNIRIB) consortium consists of eight member universities that partner to perform basic nuclear physics research using the fast-growing technique of radioactive ion beams.
ORISE manages research participation programs at the undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate and faculty levels at DOE and other government facilities across the United States.
Through the Atmospheric Turbulence and Diffusion Division, ORISE works closely with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to perform research focused on air quality, contaminant dispersion and climate.
ORISE instills confidence in environmental cleanup through survey assessments, health physics evaluations and hands-on, laboratory-based training in the radiation sciences.
Through the Atmospheric Turbulence and Diffusion Division, ORISE works closely with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to perform air quality, contaminant dispersion and climate research.
Through Oak Ridge Associated Universities, ORISE's managing contractor, health physics and radiation safety training courses are offered for participants performing work in the radiation sciences.
Continuing education courses taught through the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS) at ORISE focus on radiation emergency medicine and the medical management of radiation incidents.
ORISE emergency planners train government agencies on how to build effective response and preparedness plans, as well as teach best practices to improve communication among emergency response teams.
ORISE develops training and education programs designed to address public health topics. Training is delivered via e-learning, multimedia applications and traditional classroom instruction.
David Duncan
Director, Scientific Assessment and Workforce Development
Work: 865.576.3424
ORISE is managed for the U.S. Department of Energy
by ORAU
Privacy/Security Statement | Contract Acknowledgement
For more information about Section 508, visit the DOE Section 508 website.


text:
Delhi - An Indian dream
Larger than life, and far more colorful - no doubt about it, a journey through Rajasthan is a veritable assault on the senses. India's largest state - in terms of area - abounds with unforgettable sights: cities the color of strawberry ice cream, sumptuous palaces, gorgeously painted elephants, and landscapes almost too vast for the naked eye to encompass
An Indian dream
I sometimes dream of Rajasthan. This is not something I experience with many places I've visited, but Rajasthan seems to have snagged some part of my brain. There it sits, waiting for a chance to work its way into my dreams every three or four weeks. Not that it does this stealthily, softly creeping. Oh, no, it comes with true Indian pomp and circumstance! In my dreams of Rajasthan, camel caravans plod swaying across the desert, brightly painted elephants trumpet proudly, besabered riders salute. Sometimes a sinking sun is reflected in the glassy surface of a palace lake, and a man in a turban serves a double gin and tonic on the rocks.
Jumbo jaunt: The Amber Fort in Jaipur offers elephant rides to the palace
Dream researchers have discovered that in our sleep we humans often tackle impressions we haven't fully processed. If this is true, then there's nothing strange about my dreaming of Rajasthan. In fact, I really should dream about it more often. This country is a full frontal attack on the senses. Wherever you may have been before, whatever countries you have visited or cultures you have experienced, Rajasthan will top them all.
There you will see fortresses and citadels that look straight out of a 1950s adventure film; areas of the city that seem to be nothing but an endless stream of bazaars piled high with spices, jewelry and fabrics; more colors than you ever imagined before, and more smells, and more sounds, too. Rajasthan is a land of endless horizons and wide, open skies. It is also a land seething with activity and noise.
Sensory overload: Surrounded by the crowds at Jodhpur's Sardar Market, it's easy to feel you've strayed onto the pages of a discovery picture book
But more than anything else, Rajasthan is the India of our childhood imaginings: a land of temples and palaces, tigers and maharajas, snake charmers and monkey trainers, a land somewhere between The Jungle Book and Indiana Jones.
India's northwestern state is almost as big as Germany, which is why it's a good idea to plan exactly what you want to see before you leave home: Jaipur, for example. Jaipur the magnificent, capital city, home to 2.5 million and, like all Indian cities, bursting at the seams. To new arrivals in the country, Jaipur can be quite a shock at first - the whole city seems to leap into your face, yelling: Look over here! And now here! Try this! Buy that! Smell this, really fresh! You want a guide? A taxi?
Indulge in a magical journey through time: The best way to explore India's northwestern state is with your own personal chauffeur. But will he really collect you in a vintage 1939 Mercedes?
And: sir, sir, please give me some rupees, please sir! Jaipur beleaguers and bewilders, it is flirtatious and frightening, delightful and thought provoking, and more than anything, absolutely enchanting.
I didn't notice the feeling straight away. It gradually set in, on the second or third day. By that time, I'd checked all the tourist attractions on my list and still had a couple of hours left for some gentle exploring until it was time to leave. It was one of those days when the heat pounces on Jaipur like a snarling tiger and the usually restless Indian world seems to turn a little more slowly. A glass of peppery masala tea in the bazaar banished my torpor, and a few minutes and streets later I suddenly found myself standing in front of the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds, Jaipur's main tourist attraction.
The Hawa Mahal is a monumental building with a towering facade the color of strawberry ice cream. Its lofty windows allowed the maharaja's wives and mistresses of bygone days to survey comings and goings down on the street without being seen themselves. On this particular day, the palace walls had soaked up the day's heat, and with each step nearer I took, the temperature seemed to rise a degree. On reaching the wall, I suddenly felt a breeze, a refreshingly cool breath of air. Two paces away the heat hung in the air, but right there at the wall I could feel a cool caress on my cheeks and smell orchids on the breeze.
There are things in this country that seem incomprehensible at first glance, things Rajasthan is reluctant to share, things that remain a marvelous conundrum provided you don't seek a scientific explanation (in the case of the Hawa Mahal, it's the sophisticated architecture that creates little eddies of cool air). The game of myths and mysteries has a long tradition here, not least with the maharajas, who once used them to enchant the English into leaving them at least their amazing wealth, if not their power. Only with the creation of the Indian Republic in 1947 did the maharajas of the northwest lose their godlike status, and under Prime Minister Indira Ghandi, in the early 1970s, their last sources of income, too. Now many of their palaces have been converted into hotels, lending new meaning to the notion of "living like a maharaja", which is something anyone can try today.
Pink landmark: In the old days, the maharaja's wives and mistresses would look down unobserved from the 953 oriel windows and slits in the facade of the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of the Winds in Jaipur
So how does it feel to live like an Indian king? At the palace of the Maharaja of Udaipur, for instance, a man whose family tree can be traced back 76 generations? To start with, on the way to your room, remember to make a mental note of your way back out of the labyrinth of courtyards, corridors and halls large enough to hold minor sports events or even a special session of the UN General Assembly.
Inside your modest suite, comfy shoes are a boon considering the distance you will have to cover between bed and bathroom. The suite is well appointed, with three seating ensembles, several divans and two secretaires at which you can deal with your daily correspondence (although you could also ring for a real live secretary to do the job for you). You won't feel bored, at any rate, thanks to a constant stream of people who come knocking at the door bearing all manner of new things: tea, coffee, dainty cookies, seven extra pillows, four bolsters, not to mention five different daily papers every morning.
Wow! What a view! What magnificent luxury! Marble! Gold! Works of art! And a labyrinth of rooms it's hard not to get lost in. Spend a night at the Lake Palace Hotel in Udaipur and experience the incredible wealth of Rajasthan's rulers
Abundance seems to be the operative word in this country. There are too many palaces, too many forts, too many shawls "100% real pashmina", and too many kinds of bread on the menu. Even Rajasthan's women are - no, don't get me wrong here, it's not that there are too many women here - it's just that each woman is just too much! Really! I'm serious! Look at the one stepping out of that car over there: bright yellow sari, painted nails, rings on her fingers and toes, golden bangles at her wrists and ankles, diamonds in her nose and ears, lipstick, makeup, necklaces and pendants around her neck and to complete the picture, a bindi, the traditional red dot on her forehead. ls that too much? It is too much!
A trip into the countryside works wonders when you find yourself longing for less. Beyond the towns and cities lies another Rajasthan. The Rajasthan where the Rajput's ancient strongholds are tucked away among the hills and candy-colored Hindu temples stand out like bright dots against the ubiquitous ocher of the landscape. Villages rise like misty memories in the pale light of dawn. White oxen plow their furrows out in the fields. Children stare in wonder and wave. Sometimes it feels like time simply doesn't pass in this country; as if it simply stood still at some point and has been piling up ever since, like the wisps of sand the desert wind blows across and randomly deposits.
Rainbow fashion: Rajasthan's women love to wear brightly colored saris, golden jewelry and bold makeup
Rajasthan conjures lingering memories of all these moments and many more besides: clay huts in villages at first light, mighty forts, pilgrims on their way to the temple. Once you have visited Rajasthan, you will never forget how it feels to sit in a hotel garden amid the mingled scents of hibiscus, coriander and incense, the velvet caress of a warm wind on your back and way over there, on the horizon, the glowing red orb of a slowly setting sun as it abseils down the mountains. Then little by little, twilight seeps through the trees and for a few brief instants, the sky recalls the pink walls of Jaipur before deepening into crimson and finally a dusky blue. Now the time has come again to sleep - perchance to dream.
Photos: Goisque/Le Figaro/laif, Patitucci/Horner/Harrington/Harvey/Corbis, (4), Modrow/laif, mauritius images


text:
Venice - Hidden growth
We usually associate with Venice with canals, bridges and palaces - but what about gardens? In fact, the lagoon city on the shores of the Adriatic has roughly 500 parks and gardens dotted around it, most of them very beautiful, but tucked well out of sight
Hidden growth
It's a sultry summer's day in Venice. Cinzia has found herself a shady spot in the garden beneath an oleander in full bloom. The air is heavy with the mingled scents of the lush pink blossoms above her head and the salt tang of the sea. Raising her eyes from her sketchpad, she gazes over the low stone wall that has stood there for centuries to Venice's South Lagoon, the tiny islands of La Grazia, San Servolo and San Clemente, and across to the long expanse of Lido island.
Cinzia is a student at the Universita' Internazionale dell'Arte, which occupies the grand Villa Heriott, a palazzo the color of ox-blood set between tall cypresses and climbing roses in a wildly romantic park beside the water's edge on Giudecca island. She is not the only person to be seen - other students have settled here and there on the grass, alone and in groups; two young mothers have parked their baby carriages beneath the outspread branches of a bay tree. There's not a tourist in sight.
"Strangers rarely come here," says Cinzia, who comes across to sleepy Giudecca every morning by vaporetto from the overcrowded district of San Marco, "the palazzo isn't mentioned in any of the travel guides and only locals know the park."
There's nothing unusual about that. Most of Venice's 500 or so gardens are tucked away well out of sight and largely unknown to the general public. They include the magnificent parks of the old patrician residences, the green inner courtyards of administration buildings and ministries, public parks like the Biennale Gardens, and secluded gardens, like those of the monasteries with their lovingly tended orchards and vegetable gardens.
Padre Adriano is the parish priest of the imposing basilica belonging to the San Francesco della Vigna monastery. The monastery is almost 800 years old, and so is the garden. "But we only began to introduce some order a few years back," says the priest, who has been here for 20 years. "Before, only vines grew here, and my predecessors made wine from the grapes." The vineyard was once the largest in Venice, and the monks naturally feel committed to continuing the winemaking tradition. They mainly produce white wine today, but also some red - and all of it strictly for their own consumption.
The gardens of the 800-year-old San Francesco della Vigna monastery: Vines were traditionally cultivated here, but now the monks also grow their own fruit and vegetables
Today the gardens also provide fruit and vegetables for the monastery kitchen: tomatoes, zucchini, onions, garlic, lettuce, beans, sweet peppers as well as figs, apples, plums and peaches. Many of these were planted for culinary reasons, but some also for their religious symbolism. Olive trees, for example, represent peace and compassion, and pomegranate trees a symbolic link between life and death, while medlars are reputed to banish darkness. Right now, the cook is picking lush green basil leaves. "We'll be having pasta with fresh pesto tonight for sure," says Padre Adriano with a smile.
The monastery gardens are home to roughly 20 cats and tended by two retired gentlemen.
"We only put this place in order a few years ago," says Padre Adriano, priest at the basilica belonging to San Francesco della Vigna. Now the gardens are tended by two retired gentlemen - and populated by 10 cats.
Seawater laps at an arched opening in the high garden wall. In the old days, the monks could take a gondola right to their door, but now that the lagoon is rising, boats can no longer pass through. And anyway, "Do you have any idea what gondolas cost these days?" asks Padre Adriano. So the twelve Franciscan monks still in residence here go on foot when an errand or a visit takes them "into town." There are no shops in the vicinity of the monastery, which is tucked away in the northernmost corner of the densely populated Castello district, and even the closest vaporetto station, Celestia, has neither a cafe nor a kiosk.
Contessa Anna Barnabo can only dream of such celestial peace. Her palazzo is as ancient as the monastery, but it was built right on the Grand Canal, by one of the city's most influential families. Glittering receptions were held in the garden - and it is even said that Giacomo Casanova spent some years of his life here.
Giacomo Casanova is said to have roamed here. Splendid parties have always been held at the gardens of Palazzo Barnabo on the Grand Canal
The Barnabos bought the palazzo in the late 19th century, and the blond-haired countess married into the family a good 20 years ago. Since then, she has lived on the third floor of Palazzo Cappello Malipiero Barnabo. Her apartments include a drawing room over 200 square meters in size with a ceiling more than ten meters high, not to mention a Murano crystal chandelier that easily beats the biggest cartwheel in the world for size.
Most aspects of her life here are a headache "the central heating, the repairs, the cost of domestic staff" but the contessa, once so fond of traveling, has two excellent reasons to stay home these days: her two cats and her gorgeous garden. "When I first came here, I knew nothing about gardens or flowers," she says, "but I always had a good sense of color." Today the pinks of the camelias, hydrangeas and oleanders blend beautifully with the extravagant blues of the irises. A snowy carpet of tiny white roses blooms in a stone basin and nearby, pale pink water lilies float on the surface of the water in the 18th century Neptune fountain. Sweet-smelling jasmine climbs the walls, and the serried ranks of Blue Moon, Salet and other old rose varieties fill the geometrically arranged flowerbeds.
A somewhat different kind of front garden: Even where garden space is limited, there's no need to do without a touch of luscious green - all it takes is a few climbing plants to cover the walls
Replanting the garden cost the contessa 20 000 euros last year after her gardener ruined the grass and roses by using too much fertilizer. "You cannot imagine what a job that was! Every single bag of soil had to be brought here by boat," she says, still smarting at the thought. She now has a new gardener and a garden she is proud of, where parties are still held. If Anna Barnabo doesn't invite a few friends over for a garden party herself, then Francois Pinault does. He is the French billionaire and entrepreneur who owns the magnificent Palazzo Grassi right next door; and he likes to celebrate his art exhibition openings with a sit-down dinner in his neighbor's garden.
But even without an exclusive invitation, you can still dine in an elegant garden, at the restaurant of the Bauer Palladio Hotel & Spa on Giudecca.
The island offshoot of the prestigious Bauer Hotel in San Marco is barely two years old, but it lies within ancient monastery walls built in the early 16th century by Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. He was also responsible for planting the extensive gardens.
"Sadly, the buildings and garden fell into disuse for over a century," says Bauer owner Francesca Bortolotto Possati, "and restoring everything to its former state was a pretty expensive and time-consuming undertaking. Today, Giuseppe Rallo, probably the best-known landscape architect in Venice, is overseeing the restoration of the historical garden. He has built a pergola and planted it with vines and roses, put in cherry and pomegranate trees, purple lavender, perovskia and veronica bushes, pink buddleias and daylilies.
The ample grounds are divided geometrically into areas of high and areas of low grass. "There is actually a good reason for the high grass," Giuseppe Rallo explains, "it's supposed to stop visitors from getting too close to certain plants, like the olive tree that's 300 to 400 years old, and the pine that has bent before the eternal wind on the lagoon and now lies virtually flat." For him, it goes without saying that the old trees and the garden's original layout must be preserved or, where necessary, restored.
Group photo with flowers: Many a Venetian house wall could take this as inspiration for a picturesque still life
It's good to see the same principle being applied in another of Venice's gardens: in the courtyard of the Palazzo Soranzo Cappello, namely, a building that dates back to the 17th century. Located not far from the station, it houses the Ministry of Agriculture and Architecture of the Veneto Region. This is where Rallo has his office, out of which he works for private clients and acts as a consultant to the public sector.
A couple of years ago, Rallo spent six months and some 70 000 euros on completely overhauling the palace gardens. "I left the trees as they were, included traditional Venetian garden elements and tried to revive the atmosphere described in the novels of Gabriele D'Annunzio and Henry James," Rallo explains, "because both authors used this very garden as the scene of lovers' trysts in their books."
Palace garden with a past: Authors Gabriele D'Annunzio and Henry James both set some of their love stories among classical statues and rare roses in the grounds of 17th century Palazzo Soranzo Cappello
Romance is still very much in the air there among the lilies and poppies, iris and jasmine, some rare and highly scented roses, including Dorothy Perkins, F'elicite and P'erpetue, Adelaide d'Orleans and New Dawn. Classical statues of Roman emperors, an ancient loggia and weathered terracotta pots with delicate young lemon trees reinforce the desired effect.
The sun breaks gingerly through the tall treetops, cats move indolently through the soft grass, and far away, the bells of a church tower begin to chime. Time appears to have ground to a halt in the middle of a wonderful dream here. Hopefully, no one will come along and startle you from your slumbers.
Fondazione Querini Stampalia, Campo Santa Maria Formosa, Castello:
Small, but beautifully landscaped courtyard garden with antique sculptures and a mighty magnolia tree. The garden, the lily-strewn geometric watercourse and square metal fountain are all the work of architect Carlo Scarpa. Papyrus plants point the way to the wonderful public library on the second floor of the palazzo. Nice café with garden terrace.
Giardini Pubblici di Castello (Biennale Gardens), Giardini vaporetto station:
Extensive grounds with old trees right on the banks of the lagoon. Part of the park is given over to pavilions when the Art Biennale event is in progress.
Teatrino Groggia, Sant'Alvise, Cannaregio:
Quiet, intimate park frequented mainly by young mothers and their children. Beautiful old trees, including a massive, fruit-bearing fig tree. A small theater in the grounds stages performances in the evenings.
Giardino Savorgnan, Fondamenta Savorgnan, Cannaregio:
Public park with over 200 old trees and comfortable benches behind which the Palazzo Savorgnan (not open to the public) provides a splendid backdrop.
Giardino Rizzo Patarol (Grand Hotel dei Dogi), Fondamenta Madonna dell'Orto, Cannaregio:
The magnificent and well-kept gardens were created in the early 18th century and today form part of a luxury hotel complex. After extensive renovations carried out a few years back entirely according to historical master plans, the hotel is now restored to its former glory.
Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Palazzo Vernier dei Leoni, Dorsoduro
The garden of the villa that was art collector Peggy Guggenheim's home until 1979 and is now a museum, is visited more for its sculptures than its plants. The lofty birches, cypresses, magnolias and maple trees are nevertheless well worth a second glance. One corner boasts the Wish Tree, an olive tree presented by Yoko Ono "to Peggy with love."
Photos: Martin Nink
Further travel information
- Lufthansa Highlights Venice
- Information about the city of Venice


text:
B&M Shift Knob
Featured Shift Knobs Products
The stock B&M shift knob is often changed out for a custom B&M shift knob so that drivers can inlay their own design taste. Artsy, graphic, simple, classy, and classic type B&M shift knobs are all available, with flashier ones gaining preeminence in recent years. For a personal touch that you just can't miss when you B&M shift out of park, it's hard to avoid the draw of aftermarket B&M shift knobs in appealing to drivers who want improved interior design.


text:
New Castle County finance officials expect general fund revenues to stay pretty flat at $164.7 million for the 2014 fiscal year, an increase of 0.003 percent over $164.2 million for the current, 2013 fiscal year.
New Castle County Chief Financial Officer Michael Coupe gave New Castle County Council an overview of general fund revenues during the first budget hearing held Monday on the $250.9 million budget proposed by New Castle County Executive Tom Gordon on March 19.
Coupe said he expected the real estate taxes collected to increase from $108.8 million in 2013 to $109.7 million in 2014 based on the property taxes collected on the $18.2 billion worth of assessed property value in New Castle County as of March 19, 2013. That estimate was based on the 70.06 cents collected per $100 of assessed property values and a 99 percent collection rate, he said. It also included penalties that would be assessed for delinquent property tax payers.
The average unincorporated residential bill would be $502 annually while median residential bill would be $443, according to the revenue summary Coupe provided to New Castle County Council.
In addition, the real estate transfer tax levied upon the sale of property was expected to decrease slightly from $18.4 million in 2013 to $18 million in 2014, Coupe said.
That bit of news caused some discussion amongst New Castle County Council members about petitioning the Delaware General Assembly, which granted the county its charter, to no longer compel the county to exempt first time homebuyers from the real estate transfer tax. In sum, if the state did not follow such a rule, why should the county, they reasoned amongst themselves.
The rest of general fund revenue estimates, in millions, presented Monday were as follows:
Service charges 22.0 (compared to 22.3 in 2013)
Licenses & Permits 5.7 (unchanged)
Use of Money & Property 4.0 (up from 3.9 in 2013)
Intergovernmental 5.3 (up from 5.1 in 2013)
Coupe noted that 64 cents of every county tax dollar went to pay for police, 911 operations, paramedics and other public safety services.
Location, ST | website.com


text:
We are currently verifying whether this film is available for download in your region.
This may take a few minutes.
From your IP address, we can tell you're in .
Unfortunately, this film is not available for download in your area.
The service is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later.
1 You may download this film for private, personal, library or classroom use only. Public screenings and institutional (non-educational institutions) use are not permitted. Download films in the language of your choice, in standard or high definition. (Please note that bonus materials, chaptering, closed captioning and subtitles are available for DTO films.) You can copy each file up to 5 (five) times, onto various devices. DTO films cannot be hosted on a streaming server. To add DTO films to an institutional or educational streaming server, please contact a sales agent to discuss pricing.
2 The institutional price includes the rights to screen this film in institutional settings and in free public screenings.


text:
Munich, home of the Hofbräuhaus beer hall
And not just there: Almost everywhere in the world you travel these days, Miami or Sydney, Shanghai or Dubai, you can be sure of finding brezn, leberkäs and weißbier produced to more or less original recipes. The "beer hall" has long been an export hit, but these Bavarian specialties still definitely taste best (and most authentic) in Munich.
Back to the overview
Traditional Bavarian places: English Garden & Hofbräuhaus
Chinese Tower beer garden
Find a table, order a beer and take a look around you: There's always something to catch your eye at the 25-meter-high Chinese pagoda. Tourists, students, s vacationers, businesspeople and typical Bavarian types all come together at the beer garden in the middle of the English Garden. It seats around 7000 (!) and is the second largest beer garden in the city. Guests are welcome to bring along their own food - a fine beer garden tradition - although why they should wish to is a mystery. After all, here at the Chinese Tower they serve delicious open sandwiches as well as hearty local specialties, not to mention some rather more exotic, for example Caribbean, dishes. On the weekends, a brass band adds even more to the traditional Bavarian atmosphere.
Chinese Tower beer garden: Englischer Garten 3, +49-(0)89/38 38 73 19, www.chinaturm.de. Opening times: all year round, weather permitting, 10am-11pm
Attraction, institution, legend: At over 400 years old, the Hofbräuhaus compares only with "Kini" (King Ludwig II) or lederhosen in the traditional Bavarian stakes. Up to 35,000 people come here every day, many of them tourists for whom a visit to the beer palace is a simply must. Despite the hype, the Hofbräuhaus also has many regulars who drink only from their own tankards, for which special locker shelves are provided. Unsurprisingly, a perfect replica of Munich's Hofbräuhaus opened in Las Vegas in 2004.
Hofbräuhaus am Platzl: Platzl 9, +49-(0)89/290 13 60, www.hofbraeuhaus.de. Opening times: daily 9am-11:30pm
Weisses Bräuhaus
In 1872, Georg Schneider became the first member of the lower social orders to be granted a license to brew Weißbier, or wheat beer. Prior to this, only the nobility had held this privilege. Schneider took over a disused brewery, today's Weisses Bräuhaus, and began production. Although his Schneider Weisse beer has been brewed in the little town of Kelheim in Lower Bavaria since the end of World War II, the beer parlors of the old brewery are still as popular as ever. Interested in sampling a genuine Munich specialty? The Kronsfleisch (skirt steak) they serve here goes down a treat with a cool wheat beer.
Weisses Bräuhaus: Tal 7, Tel.: +49-(0)89/290 13 80, www.weisses-brauhaus.de. Opening hours: daily 8am-1am.
Breweries, Italian cuisine and a restaurant high above Munich
Paulaner Bräuhaus
A true export hit: Paulaner beer halls can today be found in St. Petersburg, Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing, Cape Town and in many other cities around the world. If the original sounds more attractive than a copy, though, a trip to Munich is imperative. Since the beer is brewed and served here under the same roof, visitors can follow up a drink in the beer hall or garden with a guided tour of the brewery, during which the Paulaner brewmaster gives a fascinating explanation of how water, malt and hops are turned into beer.
Paulaner Bräuhaus: Kapuzinerplatz 5, Tel.: +49-(0)89/544 61 10, www.paulaner-brauhaus.com/muenchen/. Opening times: daily 10am-1am. Guided tours: Mon-Fri, make sure to reserve at least a week before you plan to go.
Something a bit different: Although the Ruffini serves Italian fare, not Bavarian, it is still a classic on the Munich restaurant scene. Today, as many as 25 partners work here, entirely without a boss, so that all decisions are made jointly - a system that has worked very well since the restaurant was set up in 1978. By day, the Ruffini is a café and popular for its brunch, in the evening, it assumes its alter ego, as an excellent wine restaurant.
Ruffini: Orffstraße 22-24, Tel.: +49-(0)89/16 11 60, www.ruffini.de. Opening times: Tue-Sun 10am-12 midnight.
Restaurant 181
It goes without saying that Munich has its share of haute cuisine, as well, and the 181, located exactly 181 meters above the city, ranks highly here in two respects: since it opened in 2009, it (or rather, the restaurant's gourmet department, First) has earned itself an impressive 17 Gault-Millau points in its first year, while the lower-priced Business section also garnered a significant 14 points. From the top of Munich's Olympic Tower, it also offers some fantastic views as it revolves around its own axis every 49 minutes.
Restaurant 181: Spiridon-Louis-Ring 7, +49-(0)89/350 94 81 81, www.restaurant181.com. Opening times 181 First: Mon-Fri from 7pm. Opening times 181 Business: 11am-4:30pm and from 6pm.
Pictures: T. Ranzinger, Peter. von Felbert, PR (3), getty images, Panthermedia
Further travel information
- Back to the overview
- Information about Munich airport
- Information about the city of Munich


text:
Latest update : 2010-02-03
An interview with a French or international personality from the world of economics, politics, culture or diplomacy. Every Wednesday at 4.45 pm Paris time and Saturday at 7.45 am.
2016-06-29 Liberia
Liberia's president hails 'milestone' as UN peacekeepers withdraw
For the first time since the civil war ended in 2003, Liberia's security forces will on Thursday take over from UN peacekeepers. Over the past ten years, Liberia's president...
2016-06-29 Israel
Israel's ex-intel chief: 'Together, we can do a lot to make Middle East a better place'
The former head of Israel's military intelligence welcomes Israel and Turkey's deal to restore relations, saying it could help stabilise the region. He admits that Saudi and...
2016-06-25 Panama Papers
Panama Papers scandal: 'This is a real crime'
The "Panama Papers" sent shockwaves across the world by shedding a crude light on the secretive world of tax havens. Thanks to an anonymous source, what is arguably the biggest...
2016-06-22 Guatemala
'Justice is not revenge': Rigoberta Menchu on her fight for indigenous rights
Rigoberta Menchu has dedicated her life to promoting indigenous rights, particularly those of women in her home country of Guatemala and beyond. Her work earned her the Nobel...
2016-06-20 refugees
'If you don't solve problems, they will come to you,' UNHCR tells FRANCE 24
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) published its annual report Monday to mark World Refugee Day and the reality is grim: A record 65.3 million people have been forced...