The April issue of the newsletter of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), titled “Reflections on the Race to Rio,” highlights the lack of media and public attention on Rio+20, and calls for an “Earth spring” to use the power of social media and connectivity to bring about change.
12 April 2012: The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has published the April issue of its “Reflections on the Race to Rio” newsletter, which highlights, among other things, that the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) could be about “crowdsourcing sustainability,” with stakeholders coming to Rio+20 with specific, measurable commitments that would contribute to globally-negotiated goals.
The newsletter laments a lack of urgency in the formal negotiations, including during the preparatory meetings held in March 2012, and notes concern that “Rio could turn into another Copenhagen.” It also stresses that, despite being only a few weeks away, there has been very little media and public attention on Rio+20. It suggests there could be an “Earth spring,” referencing the Arab Spring and Kony 2012, both of which demonstrated the power of social media and connectivity to make real change.
The newsletter also highlights the launch of Earth Summit Watch 2012, which aims to track the activities of national governments in preparation for Rio+20. It presents an overview of, and contains links to, recent NDRC blogs on Rio+20, which present views and suggestions by stakeholders on the Rio+20 process and outcome. It also contains global highlights of statements, activities and events on: political will and urgency for action; the green economy; and innovative approaches. [Publication: Reflections on the Race to Rio, April 2012]