• info@windhouseresources.com

• Date/Time

  Date(s) – 22/03/2018  in GHANA

  All Day

• Location

  Chief’s palace

Sankofa: Reclaiming relevant indigenous cultural and ancestral values to make a case for nature-based solutions

The chieftaincy, elders and people of Funko community-located in the Western Region of Ghana- honored World Water Day by creating awareness about the need for circumspection when adopting vices or policies which consequently cause public health problems and are detrimental to the environment. Illegal/unsustainable mining – popularly referred to as “Galamsey”in the country- and fringe activities which indirectly empower the practice are examples of such vices.

The Funko community is close to the Ankobra river and, symbolic of the strong inter-connectivity still existent between most societies and their natural environment. This river is an important source of drinking water for many communities in the Western Region of Ghana- and beyond- but continues to be polluted through illegal mining activities. It flows at least 120 km south to the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic) and is located very close to the western part of Axim, a commercial center of the river basin.

In celebrating this important day, we sought to highlight the important role some historic cultural practices (spoken word, dancing and drumming) and community dialogues can play in influencing the re-adaptation of relevant conservation values which were more commonly applied by the ancestors. Overall, the concept of Sankofa is espoused. Sankofa is a Ghanaian-originated cultural principle which literally means to take back what was lost in order to protect the future. This -arguably- manifests the tenets of sustainability. There are many of such doctrines in many communities across the world.

The principle teaches communities the importance of going back to their roots- and reclaiming worthy values- in order to move forward. For example, the indigenous and unadulterated local anthropological cognition reveres some key natural receptors – such as rivers, wetlands and forests- as deities. By tapping into the novelty of such values, the current mega trend of sustainability would be well anchored and in a way which significantly addresses most of the conservation, food security and sub regional stability challenges existent now. A cultural dance and community dialogue were among the activities undertaken to commemorate the day.

On World Water Day, the funding partner and collaborator for the performances –who is also the founder of Windhouse Resources Systems (WRS)- would reach out to stakeholders to solicit input on case studies concepts intended to be develop in order to make a stronger case for nature-based solutions. WRS is a boutique sustainability consultancy located in Ghana – West Africa.

Contact information
Email Address:

info@windhouseresources.com

Date/Time
Date(s) – 22/03/2018
All Day

Location
Chief’s palace

For over 25 years, we’ve inspired, educated and activated thousands of communities and organizations through our solutions-focused programs and ready-to-use social and digital tools. Together, they provide the launchpad for emerging generations and sustainability leaders to experience “ah-ha” moments that lead to extraordinary environmental and social change.

Drawdown EcoChallenge is:

• a 21-day engagement program focused on carbon reduction;
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Press Conference – Livestream – Facebook – JULIANA vs UNITED STATES – SEPTEMBER 18 – SIGN UP AND TUNE IN – WASHINGTON D.C. 

This month will be the dawn of a new era in the climate movement. With glaciers melting at unprecedented rates and fires burning across the Amazon, young people are going all out to fight for our future and our elders are rising in solidarity with us.

On Wednesday, September 18, my Juliana v. United States co-plaintiffs and I will come together with Swedish climate activist, Greta Thunberg, at a press conference in Washington D.C. We will call on world leaders to recognize the fierce urgency of climate change, and to put in place science-based climate recovery plans around the world. Tune in to the Facebook livestream of this historic union of major youth leaders.

Sign up for a reminder to tune in to the September 18 press conference featuring the Juliana plaintiffs and Greta Thunberg.

https://www.youthvgov.org/livestream

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AND THEN – DON’T FORGET; 

On Friday, September 20, young people, workers, activists, politicians and many more will strike to demand immediate climate action in what will likely be the largest climate mobilization ever. We will strike to demand transformative action to address the climate crisis. Building on the recent surge of the youth climate movement, adults will join us to send a clear, intergenerational message to governments that they must act decisively in the face of climate chaos. 

Join my co-plaintiffs and me at strikes across the country, from New York City to Alaska, to show solidarity with the broader youth climate movement and demand our day in court.

Grateful for all you do to support the brave young people in this movement.

Thank you for rising with us,
Xiuhtezcatl Martinez
Juliana v. United States plaintiff and Earth Guardians Youth Director

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#strikewithus

On September 20, three days before the UN Climate Summit in NYC, young people and adults will strike all across the US and world to demand transformative action be taken to address the climate crisis. Millions of us will take the streets to demand a right to a future, and we’re inviting you to #strikewithus

Find a strike near you to attend on September 20 on the map below. If you don’t see an event in your area, organize one! We’ll provide everything you need to get started in planning something in your community so no experience is necessary.

Whether you’re 7 or 777, you’re invited to join the movement.

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PO BOX 5181 EUGENE, OR 97405 | INFO@OURCHILDRENSTRUST.ORG

https://strikewithus.org

https://www.youthvgov.org/congress4julian

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KELSEY JULIANA, 23

EUGENE, OREGON

XIUHTEZCATL MARTINEZ, 19

BOULDER, COLORADO

MIKO VERGUN, 18

BEAVERTON, OREGON

LEVI D., 12

INDIALANTIC, FLORIDA

ISAAC V., 17

BEAVERTON, OREGON

JAIME BUTLER, 18

FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA

NATHAN BARING, 19

FAIRBANKS, ALASKA

HAZEL V., 15

EUGENE, OREGON

NICK VENNER, 18

LAKEWOOD, COLORADO

TIA HATTON, 22

BEND, OREGON

JOURNEY ZEPHIER, 19

KAPAA, KAUA’I, HAWAI’I

ZEALAND B, 15

EUGENE, OREGON

AJI PIPER, 19

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

AVERY M., 14

EUGENE, OREGON

JACOB LEBEL, 22

ROSEBURG, OREGON

VIC BARRETT, 20

WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK

KIRAN OOMMEN, 22

EUGENE, OREGON

JAYDEN F., 15

RAYNE, LOUISIANA

SAHARA V., 15

EUGENE, OREGON

SOPHIE KIVLEHAN, 21

ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA

ALEX LOZNAK, 22

OAKLAND, OREGON

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MUSIC BY JULIANA V. US PLAINTIFF XIUHTEZCATL
VIDEO PRODUCED BY ROBIN LOZNAK

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IF YOU’RE A LEGISLATOR AND READY TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT, GO HERE.

While we wait for the decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, we must call on Members of Congress to publicly support Juliana v. United States and the constitutional rights of young people to life, liberty, and property free from government endangerment. We have been calling on the judicial branch to help hold the executive branch of our federal government accountable for its role in causing the climate crisis, and we need the legislative branch to step up as well.

Let’s make this happen.

~ Vic Barrett, Juliana v. United States plaintiff

Remember to do all three – tweet and email and call

The United States government has known about the causes and dangers of climate change for more than half a century. Yet it continues to promote and protect the major driver of the climate crisis: our national fossil fuel energy system. These actions of the executive branch have endangered young Americans. This is unjust and unconstitutional. That’s why the 21 young plaintiffs in Juliana v. United States are suing the federal government. We need Congress to support them and their fundamental constitutional rights to life, liberty, and property free from government endangerment in its role in causing climate chaos.

JOIN US IN CREATING ‘MEMORIES OF THE FUTURE;’ AND ASKING #WHATIF

WE KNOW THE TIME OF BUSINESS IS OVER, THAT WE MUST TRANSFORM THE

PRESENT IN ORDER TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

If we are to make the changes the climate emergency demands of us, the next 10-15 years will be a time of social, cultural, economic and political transformation almost without precedent. It will be a time when our imagination needs to be invited, valued and empowered. A time that future generations will sing great songs, and tell great tales about. A challenging yet amazing time to be alive!

What will help us build something so necessary and so remarkable will be our ability to tell rich and compelling stories of how the future could look, feel, taste, and sound. Stories that create a deep longing for a future very different from the present.

A future of clean air, children playing in the street, cities with food growing everywhere, more birdsong and wildlife, thriving local economies, homes and businesses powered by renewable energy, imaginative and playful architecture, and rewilded landscapes.

An age of connection, collaboration and community, with a sense of collective purpose. A more resilient, more diverse, more equal, more caring, fair world with zero emissions.

It will be a time of creativity, dreaming, and sharing. A space to explore our longings for what we want the future to be. Connecting us to each other and to a future worth fighting for.

WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US DURING 17-24 OCTOBER

Gather your community group, faith group, street, school, or organisation and spend time together generating ‘memories of the future’.

What this will look like is up to you, and you can find out more and download a resource guide here – https://transitionnetwork.org/popuptomorrow/