Japan-based activists launch new COP10.org website to rally & serve the enviro NGO community

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:50:49 +0900

COP10.org targets UN COP10 biodiversity treaty talks in Nagoya, decries their corporate co-optation, and
invites collaborative NGO strategies

Kyoto, Japan - Feb 17, 2010 (PRLog.org) COP10.org, an ad hoc network of Japan-based journalists, scholars and activists, proudly announces the launch of their COP10 focused website to draw urgent public and NGO attention to the UN’s global biodiversity treaty conference in Nagoya this October.

The Nagoya COP10 conference is tasked with reinventing the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) as a binding global agreement affecting every major ecosystem on the planet, the rights of many indigenous peoples, the future of bioengineering, and the primary driver of species extinction, our climate policies.

Given the critical need for NGO involvement in this process, the site is designed as an information clearinghouse, support center, and strategy forum for the international activist community.

Website host and content partner, Kyoto Journal is also producing a special biodiversity issue to be made available to all seven thousand COP10 delegates. This autumn issue will introduce civil society’s concerns, inspirations from Asian traditions, and thoughtful suggestions on how participants could achieve something truly meaningful.

W. David Kubiak, KJ contributing editor and web coordinator of the group, predicts, "While few have even heard of it yet, COP10 is so important for the future of this planet and cuts across so many life & death issue areas that the activist community will eventually be all over it. We cannot let 7,000 technocrats, bureaucrats and corporate flacks decide the fate of the biosphere uncontested. Concerted corporate lobbying has already excised all firm commitments to "protected zones" from Japan’s official 2020 CBD targets without any apparent input from civil society at all. Climate, environmental and indigenous rights NGOs will now all have to cooperate to keep big corporations from crippling the final treaty, and we hope COP10.org will be of service when that organizing begins.”

Early endorsers of the effort include the Oceanic Preservation Society, the Environmental Investigation Agency, Pro Wildlife, OceanCare, Campaign Whale, Japan's ELSA Nature Conservancy, and the campaign for a Universal Declaration of Planetary Rights.

Besides COP10 related news and information, the Kyoto-based website presents Asian ecological perspectives drawn from Eastern traditions, faiths and philosophies that offer models and insights for saner eco-social policies. It will also feature inter-NGO discussion forums to develop common strategies and plan coordinated actions, including a special brainstorming arena on downsizing, decentralizing and democratizing the biggest corporate bodies now threatening the earth.

Kubiak explains, "This last conversation is not just about COP10 or even the incessant corporate assaults on our international health, climate and environmental agreements – the same assaults that have kept the USA from ever ratifying the first CBD or the Kyoto Protocol. It is more about the increasingly pathological role of huge corporate bodies everywhere in our biosphere. How big and destructive can we let them get before we ourselves are an endangered species? The sooner we address that, the sooner we may see laws and treaties that reflect real human values, not merely corporate demands.”

Indeed Big Pharma, giant energy and resource extraction firms, and Japan's premier corporate groups have invested heavily in COP10 preparations. Keidanren, Japan's all-powerful Federation of Economic Organizations, has sponsored or co-sponsored all the conference's kickoff events with help from allies like Sumitomo, Mitsubishi and Royal Dutch Shell.

Wary of this power and taking lessons from Copenhagen, the COP10.org group is also trying to secure an independent NGO meeting complex and press center adjacent to the conference, and is currently seeking progressive sponsors and support.

More information on this initiative and other related campaigns will be posted on the COP10.org website in the coming weeks.

Contact:
Website inquiries - W. David Kubiak Email: info@cop10.org
Kyoto Journal inquiries - John Einarsen - Email: info@kyotojournal.org

About COP10.org: COP10.org is both a new website focused on the UN COP10 biodiversity treaty negotiations in Nagoya this October and an ad hoc network of Japan-based journalists, scholars and activists working to preserve biodiversity and indigenous rights in the Asian neighborhood.

PangeaSeed X Reef

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:13:05 +0900

Happy new year, Finegades. Hope your holiday season was productive and fulfilling. Some exciting developments on our end. A couple of months ago, we met with members from the Japanese division of Reef surf wear in hopes to bring the issue of shark conservation and ocean sustainability to a wider audience in Japan. Reef has a comfortable reach within the surf and ocean-loving communities throughout Japan and hopefully this will enable us to connect with people who may not be aware of the issues and perils facing the oceans and her inhabitants.

For those of you not familiar with Reef, here’s a little backstory:

Two Argentine brothers, Fernando and Santiago Aguerre, created their brand in the 1980s to support their active lifestyles. Their involvement in the surfing scene led them to open their own surf shop in Argentina in the 1970s. Eventually they moved from Argentina to the San Diego beach community of La Jolla, California. This is where Reef began. Starting out with $4000, the brothers set out to create the world's best active sandal. Their product quickly acquired a loyal following amongst surfers and beach goers. Reef has subsequently grown into one of the world's leading active sandal manufacturers.

Reef is home to surfing greats like Rob Machado and Russle Winter. Also Reef continues to support the new school of surfing talent shaping the future of the sport. Check out new talent like Paul Fisher or Dylan Goodale on the Reef website. PangeaSeed is super keen to be collaborating with the legendary surf brand and looks forward to connecting with people regarding these vital issues threatening our oceans.

On Wednesday, January 20, Reef and PangeaSeed debuted 3 shirts designed by Tokyo aritst, Wrecks, and PanegaSeed at the Lens Reception Party in Harajuku, Tokyo . Thanks to all of those who came out and took the time and interest to learn about what you can do to help save sharks and our oceans. The future of surf depends on it.

The limited release (Japan only) shirts are featured in 3 colors (Blue, Red, White) and will be available to the public in April 2010. Each shirt will come with a PangeaSeed X Reef sticker to slap on your favorite deck or board so grab one while they last. If interested, you can find the shirts at stores that carry Reef products in Japan or contact us directly:

info★pangeaseed.com (★→@)

Again, thanks for your support and we look forward to connecting with you in 2010!!

Earth Groove: Make Your Peace

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 23:14:58 +0900

Thanks to everyone who joined PangeaSeed for Earth Groove Friday December 11th!

Parties 4 Peace presents EARTH GROOVE, in collaboration with Peace Boat, PangeaSeed and Peace Not War Japan. Our event brings together a variety of artists, musicians and activists to promote environmental awareness and peace through music and dance. Tokyo`s up and coming DJs will provide music to make the earth groove. All proceeds will aid environmental and peace projects in Japan, and abroad.  @ FAVELA IN AOYAMA http://www.favela.jp 
TIME: 22:00 – 05:00  
DOOR: 3000 yen / 2500 with flyer 
** Includes one FREE DRINK + food **  DJs Sam Fitzgerald (P4P)
 Aosawa (Redbox / Freerange Tokyo)
 Bosh (Dial / Log / Valys )
 Tazzy (Rhythm Odyssey)
 Ahimsa (Burning Desire)
 DJ Yap (XLNTZ)   COLLAGE: Kyle and Lindsey
 FASHION: Fair Trade fashion by DAWN, Philippines
 Me&Yu fashion (http://www.meandyu.com)
 ORIENTAL DANCE: Luna (http://www.baris-bellydance.com)
 LIVE ART: Yoh Nagao, Aaron Glasson, Wrecks and more.   Yoh Nagao  http://www.yohnagao.com   Aaron Glasson (R.A.H, Sideroom, Blackbox)  http://www.flickr.com/people/8216181@N05/  Rah Akaishi (R.A.H Collective)  http://www.sideroom.com   Wrecks http://www.wrecks.jp   Parties 4 Peace presents EARTH GROOVEは、ピースボート、パンジアシード、Peace Not War Japanとのコラボレーションイベントです。このイベントは、アーティスト・ミュージシャン・活動家たちが音楽やダンスを通じ、平和や環境への認識を高めるために開催されます。  Parties 4 Peace presents EARTH GROOVE, in collaboration with Peace Boat, PangeaSeed and Peace Not War Japan. Our event brings together a variety of artists, musicians and activists to promote environmental awareness and peace through music and dance. Tokyo`s up and coming DJs will provide music to make the earth groove. All proceeds will aid environmental and peace projects in Japan, and abroad.   info: http://www.parties4peace.com
 mail: parties4peace@gmail.com    Additional information on some of Earth Grooves supporters at:  http://www.pnjw.org
 http://www.pangeaseed.com
 http://www.soundsphenomenal.org/pnwj/index.htm
 http://www.sideroom.com

Life Style Forum Wrap Up

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:58:41 +0900

The Life Style Forum is an annual event to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining and preserving biodiversity and the ever increasing effects of global warming and climate change on our planet with a focus on what we can do in our everyday “lifestyles” to repair and balance the situation. This years theme is “How to live together in balance with the earth”.   Several NGO’s and NPO’s featured information booths, symposiums, talk shows, demonstrations, and presentations to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity and climate change in lead up to this years COP 15 in Denmark and next year’s COP 10 event hosted in Aichi-Nagoya.  PangeaSeed hosted an information booth to help raise awareness, encourage everyday action, and provide information on the global shark plight and the need to preserve their habitat.   Through video presentations, discussions with curious festival visitors, and an information art corner for kids of all ages, the PangeaSeed staff brought the issue of shark and ocean conservation to the masses.   A special "thanks" to everyone who came out to the festival and to all of our supporters.   See you on December 11 @ Favela for Earth Groove. It's gonna be a heck of an event!  For more info on what you can do or for PangeaSeed related events:   info@pangeaseed.com

Life Style Forum COP 15 X COP 10

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 16:09:18 +0900

Come join PangeaSeed Saturday and Sunday November 14-15 from 10AM~4PM as we host an information booth at the annual Life Style Forum in Shinjukugyoen. Tokyo’s equivalent to New York City’s Central Park. Autumn is one of the best seasons to visit the park to view and take in all of it’s treasures and beauty.

The Life Style Forum is an annual event to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining biodiversity and the ever increasing effects of global warming and climate change with a focus on what we can do in our everyday “lifestyles” to repair and balance the situation. This years theme is “How to live together in balance with the earth”.

Over 60 NGO’s and NPO’s will feature information booths, symposiums, talk shows, demonstrations, and presentations to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity climate change in lead up to this years COP 15 in Denmark and next year’s COP 10 event hosted in Aichi-Nagoya.

For more information please contact us at:

email: info$pangeaseed.com

$=@

tel: 050-7500-6775

Life Style Forum Info and Map PDF