The
United Nations has declared 20112012 as International Year of the Bat and Bat
Conservation International (BCI) as an International Year of the Bat Founding
Partner.
The more
than 1,200 species of bats - about one-fifth of all mammal species - are
incredibly diverse. They range from the world’s smallest mammal, the tiny
bumblebee bat that weighs less than a penny to giant flying foxes with six-foot
wingspans. Except for the most extreme desert and polar regions, bats have
lived in almost every habitat on Earth since the age of the dinosaurs.
Bats are essential to the
health of our natural world. They help control pests and are vital pollinators
and seed-dispersers for countless plants.Yet these wonderfully diverse and beneficial
creatures are among the least studied and most misunderstood of animals.
For
more information on bats and activities to get involved visit:
http://www.yearofthebat.org
2012 International Year of
Sustainable Energy for All
The International Year of
Sustainable Energy for All presents a valuable opportunity to raise awareness
about the importance of increasing sustainable access to energy, energy efficiency,
and renewable energy at the local, national, regional and international levels.
Energy
services have a profound effect on productivity, health, education, climate
change, food and water security, and communication services.
Lack of
access to clean, affordable and reliable energy hinders human, social and
economic development and is a major impediment to achieving the Millennium
Development Goals.
Today, 1.4 billion people still
do not have access to modern energy, while 3 billion rely on “traditional
biomass” and coal as their main fuel sources.
With
leadership from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UN-Energy - a coordinating
group of 20 UN agencies - is undertaking a new global initiative, Sustainable
Energy for All.
This
initiative will engage governments, the private sector, and civil society
partners globally to achieve three major goals by 2030:
•
Ensure universal access to modern energy services.
•
Reduce global energy intensity by 40 per cent.
•
Increase renewable energy use globally to 30 per cent.
For
more information visit:
www.sustainableenergyforall.org
2012
as International Year for Cooperatives
With the theme of “Cooperative
Enterprises Build a Better World”, the Year seeks to encourage the growth
and establishment of cooperatives all over the world. It also encourages
individuals, communities and governments to recognize the agency of
cooperatives in helping to achieve internationally agreed upon development
goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals. The International Year of
Cooperatives has three main objectives:
- Increase public awareness about cooperatives and their
contributions to socio-economic development and the achievement of the
Millennium Development Goals
- Promote the formation and growth of co-operatives among
individuals and institutions to address common economic needs and for
socioeconomic empowerment
- Encourage Governments and regulatory bodies to establish
policies, laws and regulation conducive to co-operative formation and growth.
For more information visit:
www.2012.coop
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