In English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Japanese, Russian and Spanish, the new UNEP backed mobile telephone application “lets users calculate their carbon footprint, visualize its equivalent in a particular ecosystem, and learn new ways in which they can reduce their emissions through specific actions. Through the so-called Blue and REDD Carbon application, users can input the details of their journeys taken by air, train or road, and find out the equivalent area in a particular ecosystem – such as a tropical forest – that is needed to offset the journeys’ carbon footprint.” (Read: - “Deforestation as Seen from Above” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/deforestation-as-seen-from-above-by-ambassador-mo/42219 The “app” then provides a variety of suggestions and guidelines to show users how they can limit the environmental degradation of ecosystems through actions such as buying sustainably-sourced fish. Forest ecosystems provide more than a billion people with incomes and employment and contribute around $468 billion to the global economy. Read –“Investments in Forests More Benefits – UN Report”– diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/investments-in-forests-more-benefits-un-report-by-ambassador-mo/28713 ). The application’s name comes from the Blue Carbon concept, which aims to promote better management of coastal ecosystems which serve as vital “carbon sinks” and can store up to 1,900 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare, and the UN Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD), which seeks to create financial value for the carbon stored in forests, offering incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions and invest in low-carbon technologies to sustainable development. (Read: - Pilot Indonesia Program Links Deforestation – Carbon Emissions” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/pilot-indonesia-program-links-deforestation-carbon-emission-by-ambassador-mo/41940), The free iPhone application also provides in-depth information on the role of coastal and terrestrial ecosystems in both storing and sequestering carbon, and draws attention to the critical role of ecosystems such as mangrove forests and seagrass meadows in tackling climate change. It also highlights the valuable natural services provided by ecosystems, such as the protection of shorelines from storms, support for fisheries and provision of materials such as timber and medicine. Read: - “Saving Oceans – 10 Concrete Measures” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/saving-oceans-10-concrete-measures-by-ambassador-mo/39921 One UN Pavilion at the Eye on Earth summit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, bringing together philanthropists, business leaders, government officials and technology experts to address issues on access to environmental data and knowledge was also setting for the App launch. . Link to the UNEP Press Center and More Information on App - www.unep.org/newscentre/Default.aspx?DocumentID=2661&ArticleID=8986&l=en By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey





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