Asia and the Pacific

In an increasingly crowded world reconciling environmental ‘conservation’ with the ‘sustainable use’ of natural resources is now our greatest challenge. Nature conservation has traditionally focused on protecting iconic and important areas of biodiversity from human exploitation through the establishment of National Parks and World Heritage Areas.

How can we guarantee a right to life or a right to health without also guaranteeing a decent environment in which to exercise these rights? It is becoming increasingly obvious that a high quality environment is key to the fundamental human rights of life and health, and associated rights such as the right to clean water, adequate housing, and food. This book canvasses a range of law and policy issues concerning human rights and the environment.

In February 2014, RECOFTC - The Center for People and Forests in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) brought together 11 climate change and forestry experts in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The panel of experts discussed the key outcomes of negotions for the 19th Conference of Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), held in Warsaw, Poland, 11-22 November 2013.

Our oceans and coasts are the origin of life on earth, an important food source, and crucial for the global ecological equilibrium,  yet despite their global significance, marine and coastal ecosystems face a wide array of threats. It was in the spirit of making enhanced concerted efforts at the global, regional, national and local levels that the Blue Solutions Initiative was created.