Giant log awaiting the sawmill, Iquitos, Peru. Image courtesy of Jungle Photos.

When the Copenhagen climate talks ended without a solid treaty, most environmentalists were bitterly disappointed. Meanwhile, politicians went home saying they’d done their jobs.

But one of the positive outcomes of Copenhagen was that the United States committed $1 billion over the next three years to help protect tropical forests. This is hugely important given that tropical deforestation and degradation account for about 15% of global warming emissions.

That said, we can’t be sure that the politicos will keep to the commitment, given their propensity to act in direct proportion to the public’s attention span.

So… on April 14, 2010, Dr. Pimm and several other eminent scientists will attend a Congressional Briefing to emphasize the importance of the US keeping its Copenhagen commitment.

Here’s the announcement from the Union of Concerned Scientists website:

Tropical Forests and Global Warming: Fulfilling the United States’ Copenhagen Commitment

Congressional Briefing April 14th, 1:00 p.m. 2456 Rayburn House Office Building

Co-Sponsored by Representatives Adam Schiff, Barbara Lee, and Betty McCollum

On December 16, in Copenhagen, Denmark, the United States committed $1 billion over the next three years to help protect tropical forests. This major commitment of short-term funding to preserve tropical forests is a big step toward re-establishing U.S. leadership in addressing global warming.

Tropical deforestation and degradation account for about 15% of global warming emissions. Funding to protect tropical forests will not only reduce carbon emissions, but will also protect biodiversity and provide other vital human benefits. Protecting tropical forests is an inexpensive way to reduce global warming emissions relative to other alternatives. Scientists believe that the U.S. must provide robust funding in the Fiscal Year 2011 appropriations bill so that developing countries have the technology and training necessary, as well as the incentive, to end tropical deforestation as soon as possible.

Come hear from several experts on these issues:

• Dr. Stuart Pimm, Doris Duke Professor of Conservation Ecology, Duke University and winner of the 2010 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement
• Dr. Jennifer Powers, Assistant Professor, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota
• Dr. Thomas Lovejoy, Biodiversity Chair, the Heinz Center and Professor, George Mason University and winner of the 2001 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement
• Dr. Doug Boucher, Director, Tropical Forests & Climate Initiative, the Union of Concerned Scientists

The briefing will coincide with the release of a letter, signed by nearly 200 scientists with advanced degrees in the natural and social sciences and forest-related expertise, titled “The Scientists’ Letter on the Copenhagen Commitment for Tropical Forests.”

DOWNLOAD (PDF): The Scientists’ Letter on the Copenhagen Commitment for Tropical Forests

The Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement is the premier award for environmental science, environmental health and energy conferring great benefit upon mankind.

This morning sees the following announcement from Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement website.

“Two conservationists whose careers have centered on understanding ecosystem functions as the essential foundation for ecosystem restoration will share the 2010 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement.

The award, consisting of a $200,000 cash prize and gold medals, will go to Dr. Laurie Marker, the co-founder and executive director of the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Otjiwarongo, Namibia, and Professor Stuart Pimm, the Doris Duke Professor of Conservation Ecology at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.”

The Pimm Group is absolutely delighted at the news of this well-deserved award and we offer Dr. Pimm our hearty congratulations.

Related links

• Nicholas School of the Environment press release
• News announcement on the Intersection