Atlanta, Georgia- based “ twee- punk” outfit ( named after the much beloved Gummi candy) were formed in 2009 by ( ) along with Erich Leudtke , Dave Fortner , and Santiago Archila . Raised on a steady diet of , , and , the group members’ shared love of cacophonous reverb, jangly guitars, and lo- fi fuzz- pop has earned them comparisons to everyone from and to and .

The band’ s first single arrived in 2010 via , followed by the full- length debut for in early summer the following year. ~ James Christophe Monger, Rovi

Profile on M. I( pronounced em eye) M. I was born to Pastor and Mrs Abaga, both active members of the local Church choir in Jos, Plateau, Nigeria .

His mother taught the basic music notations and later bought him 7- key mini piano , which launched him early into the world of music. I’ s encounter with Hip- Hop started with sampling the works of DMX and Lauryn Hill in 1998 . He later delved into writing poetry. In 1999, MI left for Calvin College, Michigan, USA to pursue a degree in business and economics.

There he interacted with the budding Michigan hip- hop community. He performed at all the major hip- hop and R& amp; B shows and concerts in school and later came third in the Calvin College “ Hip hopera” 2003. I returned to Plateau, Nigeria in 2005 to find the local music industry on the verge of a revolution and was set to take African Hip- Hop to new heights. A proficient producer, lyricist, songwriter and instrumentalist, M. I has been described by DIV as the future of African Hip- Hop.

He has produced and featured on the works of artists like Jeremiah Gyang, Djinee, Shifi ( Style Plus) , Jesse Jags, Ice Prince, Ruby, Lindsy , Leone e. t. c. Crowd Mentality – the first single off his album “ Pyeri Boy” has topped every major chart in and around Nigeria and is currently number one on the Creative economy website Soundtrack, besting music from Nine other countries around the world! The video is enjoying tremendous airplay and was No 3 @ Sound City Video charts in July 2007. His much anticipated album “ Talk About it” is due for release in Early 2008 after his world tour.

Performances, Tours & amp; Appearances · ‘ Bring the Noise 2007’ of Africa and the UK, performed on tour in Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and the UK. · Rhythm Unplugged, Lagos , Rhythm Unplugged, Abuja 2006 · Opening for Grammy winners Black Ladysmith Mambazo, and Keb Mo in Michigan , USA 2004 · Interviewed on Live BBC Hip Hop Forum with two other artists from Senegal and Cameroon. · Interviewed live on African Essence in London. · Interviewed live for BBC African Youth Program from Abuja. · Single Crowd Mentality # 1 Cool Fm Abuja, # 1 Rhythm Top 7 at 7, and Numerous other stations round the country. · Crowd Mentality selected # 1 for British Council International Young Music Entrepreneur of the Year Award. · Crowd Mentality # 1 Hip Hop Charts in Uganda, Tanzania and Malaysia. · “ Crowd Mentality” is currently representing Nigeria at the website music competition . · Video Crowd Mentality # 1 Buzz Fm TV show, # 1 NTA Lagos, Abuja, Selected # 1 Sound City Star Host. · ‘ Top Ten Best Videos Of The Year’ Buzz FM TV show. MI was recently selected to participate in the “ Bring the Noise” Project organized by the British Council International.

He will be representing Nigeria on a two- week tour of the UK, East Africa and West Africa, which commences from October 2007 and will culminate in a world tour in 2008. His nomination is as a result of his high level of artistry and proficiency in revolutionizing Hip hop in Africa. Other countries participating in the prestigious project include Senegal, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and the UK.

He is currently signed on the International award winning Chocolate City label. Contact : chocolatecitynig@ yahoo. co. uk Myspace. com/ pyeriboy User- contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By- SA License and may also be available under the GNU FDL.

Singer- songwriter and record producer Aaron Embry has been recording music since 1995. Originally from the Los Angeles area, he currently resides in Nashville, TN. He has recorded, produced, written, and/ or performed with , , , , , , , and .

He also fronts the indie rock band with his wife Nikki, and has a new project titled touring with this July and August, 2010.

User- contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By- SA License and may also be available under the GNU FDL.

Washington ( CNN) - - With U. S. - Pakistan relations in the deep freeze, former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and American officials called Thursday for a thaw. & quot; Blame games, rigidity, arrogance, insensitivity to each other' s national interests is certainly very counter- productive, & quot; Musharraf said in Washington. & quot; It definitely saddens me to see the deteriorating Pakistan- United States relations, & quot; he said in a speech at the Woodrow Wilson International Center. Twelve weeks have passed since American commandos killed Osama bin Laden inside Pakistan, an event that dramatically widened the rift between the two countries. Musharraf denied he knew during his time as president or later that bin Laden was hiding out in Pakistan. & quot; Whether one believes it or not, let me say with confidence, I did not know, & quot; he declared.

He suggested that it was negligence and not complicity of the Pakistan government that allowed bin Laden to stay there undetected. & quot; If there was complicity this is very, very serious indeed, & quot; Musharraf said. & quot; I think the UN and the United States have all the right to be against Pakistan if it ultimately comes to believe that . . . people were hiding him, people were complicit in it, & quot; Musharraf said. The former president and general, who has been living in London, pledged to return to Pakistan next March for a political comeback in 2013, in what he called & quot; the mother of all elections. & quot; David Petraeus, making his way home from Afghanistan where he was commanding general and soon to start his new job as CIA director, reportedly told a Paris audience yesterday he also is worried about relations with Pakistan. He just completed a visit there and said the relationship is at a difficult stage but the U. S. must continue efforts to work with Pakistan, recognizing what it has done in the fight against terror. Meanwhile in Washington, top U.

S. military leaders told senators of their concerns about Pakistan.

The soldier poised to take over as chief of staff of the Army, Gen. Ray Odierno, said militants hiding out in Pakistan along the Afghanistan border are a major security challenge facing the United States. Adm.

James Winnefeld, tapped as the next vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Pakistan must do more to crack down on insurgents like the Haqqani network. & quot; Pakistan is a very, very difficult partner and we all know that.

We don' t always share the same world view or the same opinions or the same national interests, & quot; Winnefeld told the Senate Armed Services Committee. & quot; I think we need to continued pressure on Pakistan using all elements of pressure that we' re able to apply to what really should be a friend to get them to realize that the Haqqani network poses a threat to their own country and to take the steps that we' ve asked them to take. & quot; Former congresswoman and Wilson Center director Jane Harmon said both the United States and Pakistan have made mistakes and miscalculations. & quot; Nothing is irreparable and this relationship has got to be fixed, & quot; Harmon said after Musharraf' s speech. & quot; I think some tough love is required, I think there needs to be a more honest and straight relationship, & quot; Harmon said. & quot; The Pakistanis have grievances, but we clearly have grievances too. & quot;

Piers Morgan blasts British MP' s ' lie' Geyser of water lifts car into air House vote ' one way of herding the cats' Cops: Son parties with parents' bodies in house Migraines a deal breaker for Bachmann?

Gay man turns himself ' straight' Could you hug your kids every day? Murray to blame for Jackson' s death? Tot mom allegedly spotted at airport Chihuahua chases off robbers Fallout after Murdoch testimony Geyser of water lifts car into air Bolden: NASA is very busy Are fast food calorie counts accurate? Hacking groups' possible agendas Astronauts aboard Atlantis reflect UK vs.

US tabloid culture Talking to teens about health, obesity Welcome home to U. Womens soccer team Could eye exams detect Alzheimer' s? Legal analysis of phone hacking scandal Man faked his identity for decades Murdoch in the hot seat Ex- nuclear plant operator speaks out CNN' s new video experience on i.

Pad The Shot: Caption casts spell on Cooper Report: Murdoch to step down as CEO?

Prioritizing federal spending Tea Party leader on default threat Could Rick Perry shake up GOP W. H. race? GOP pushes ' cut, cap, and balance' Anderson Cooper answers your questions Marcus Bachmann defends clinic 9/ 11 families to meet with Justice Dept.

PM Cameron addresses hacking allegations Debt talks - what' s the solution?

Bachmann questions farmers' claims Mrs. Murdoch to the rescue Granderson: Debt talks need more women Murdoch' s wife stands by her man James Murdoch discusses 9/ 11 victims Counting calories while eating out Hacking: ' Who signed the checks? ' Murdoch: ' Transparent, open society' Murdochs won' t disclose payout Dr. Drew Murray to blame for Jackson' s death? Casey interview: Bonanza or backlash? Preview: Dr.

Drew with Bristol Palin Is Casey Anthony mentally ill? Summers on America' s growth prospects Fareed' s Take: Afghanistan' s future What in the World: Brazil overheating? Most expensive city in the world Lawmakers fighting like cats and dogs Fareed Zakaria answers your questions Bernard- Henri Levy speaks out on DSK Peter Godwin on Sudan Getting a Picasso into a war zone House vote ' one way of herding the cats' Campbell: Cameron should admit ' error' Experts skeptical of Murdoch' s ignorance ' Revolving door' guarded Murdoch paper? Who is winning debt ceiling debate?

Hacking whistle- blower was ' a good guy' Abrams: How far will hacking scandal go? Former editor cites Murdoch son, Brooks Gay man turns himself ' straight' Can Casey Anthony ever be forgiven?

Roseanne: I' m not good at marriage Chubby teen becomes beauty queen Shannon Tweed walks out on Gene Simmons Would Casey' s attorney let her babysit?

Larry David: I want to do standup again My father was ' The Grim Reaper' Fergie: I' m addicted to being liked Will migraines impact Bachmann campaign?

Murdoch acting like himself? Gadhafi: Brega will be ' hell' Republican social issues in 2012 Tot mom allegedly spotted at airport Cops: Son kills parents, throws party Where is Casey Anthony? Piers Morgan blasts Mensch' s ' lie' Trump: Bachmann is ' highly underrated' Murdoch takes pie in the face Piers Morgan: CNN host, ' AGT' judge Tom Arnold discusses his dark past Nancy Grace opens up on fiance' s murder Tom Arnold talks Arnold Schwarzenegger Piers Morgan believes Murdoch Murdoch done with newspapers? Nancy Grace: Jury wasn' t listening to me Nancy Grace speaks about fiance' s murder Claustrophobic fighter pilot Ex- players sue NFL over concussion risks Brain injury patient back on the road Bounty hunter wants to sue Casey Anthony Khloe Kardashian' s Twitter outrage Hollywood hacking outrage J.

Lo and Marc Anthony split shocker Justin and Selena: Wedding crashers? Casey Anthony in disguise? Kim Kardashian' s mom gets facelift Hackers turn tables on Murdoch empire Migraines a deal breaker for Bachmann? ' Nobody proved Murdoch was involved' Computer hackers attack ' Sun' Congressman battles home intruder Murdoch scandal: Who' s next?

Herman Cain against proposed mosque? Warren: " I Really Don' t Get it" Bachmann backs ' cut, cap and balance' Politicos agree: GOP field leaderless Sound of Sunday with Candy Crowley How Giuliani would negotiate debt talks How Giuliani would negotiate debt talks Giuliani: ' Not sure' I could win in NH Candy' s post- show analysis Graham has no confidence in compromise WH Budget chief: Time to act is now Rudy Giuliani on Murdoch, 9/ 11 and more Candy' s pre- show rundown

WASHINGTON ( CNN) - - Congress returns Tuesday from a monthlong recess to tackle a list of pressing issues, and health care reform isn' t the only item at the top of the list. Efforts to revamp the nation' s health care system will undoubtedly be front and center as pressure mounts from the White House to get something done. That pressure is likely to be placed on the Senate, where the influential Senate Finance Committee has yet to sign off on the proposed bill.

The Obama administration has also begun to ramp up efforts to push its agenda with force, beginning with an address before a joint session of Congress on Wednesday detailing what he wants in health care reform legislation. But the Obama- backed bill is only one of the things on Congress' to- do list. The Senate must pass spending bills before money runs out at the end of the fiscal year: in September.

The House passed its spending measures before the August recess.

A contentious battle likely will ensue over the costs, as much of the GOP opposition to Democratic bills this year has focused on money.

Democrats in the House and Senate are still hoping to pass Obama' s financial overhaul package, which would overhaul the banking regulatory system, create oversight of the $ 600 trillion private derivatives market and take oversight of the insurance industry from the states.

Also, the possibility of Congress taking up a second stimulus plan, some say, could throw a wrench into the health care debate. But even before the health care reform debate blew up, it was climate change that found members of the House and Senate at odds with Obama.

In late June, a White House- backed climate change bill passed 219- 212 in the House, with virtually no Republican support. It has since been stalled in the Senate. The bill being proposed would reduce nationwide greenhouse gas emissions 17 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050 through a so- called & quot; cap- and- trade& quot; program under which companies would buy and sell emissions credits. It would also require utilities to generate an increasing amount of power from renewable sources. Republicans have argued the bill could hurt the country' s battered industrial base while pushing polluting industries to countries with lower environmental standards.

But the debate over climate change could pass if it is framed in a different way, one political observer said. & quot; There is this new avenue developing where national security is becoming more elevated in the debate on climate change, & quot; said Jill Lawrence, a political columnist for AOL' s Politics. Daily. com. & quot; We' re not just talking about oil from hostile nations.

We' re talking about natural disasters and very destabilizing weather events . . . that will demand a lot from the U. S. military and also could create breeding grounds for terrorists just by toppling governments, & quot; she said. Former GOP Sen. John Warner of Virginia has taken the national security angle to the public. The former chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee is working in conjunction with the Pew Project on National Security, Energy and Climate in holding events around the country, Lawrence said.

Lawrence said that with environmental and national security advocates joining forces on climate change, there' s a & quot; shot at a coalition& quot; to get a bill through the Senate. And that coalition could come sooner rather than later. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D- California, chairwoman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, indicated in recent media reports that she would likely introduce the bill in late September.

As one of the key sponsors, Boxer has noted that the bill has failed to gain traction because of factors including the death of Sen. Ted Kennedy and the health care reform debate. But some Republicans have signaled that a bill will have a tough time passing. & quot; I think it' s going to lead to significant increases in electricity across America in an effort to try to deal with a global problem. If we do have a global warming problem, and many people believe we do, we need to target it on a global basis, & quot; Senate Minority Leader Mitch Mc. Connell, R- Kentucky, recently told Fox News Sunday.

But already, interest groups are lining up with a series of ad blitzes to sway members of Congress, including the National Association of Manufacturers, the League of Conservation Voters, Americans for Change and the American Values Network. One advertising expert said the recent ads hitting the airwaves are not only aimed at the climate change proposals, but also on members of Congress, especially moderate Democrats and Republicans in western and southern states. Evan Tracey, CNN' s campaign media analyst and chief operating officer of TNS Media Intelligence/ CMAG, said the ads are mostly aimed at House members despite the passage in the House. The reason, Tracey said, is because legislation if passed in the Senate will have to be conferenced with the House bill, and the ads could simply be taking political shots at members of Congress. Tracey said the ads are going to be a & quot; bookend& quot; issue to current ads on health care filling TVs across the country. & quot; Between the echo chamber of health care and the cap and trade bill here, it' s going to be an awful lot of issue advertising in a number of these states and certainly on cable news as we go through the fall. & quot; The challenge to groups touting climate change reform is that it' s not an easy issue to understand, much like health care reform, Tracey said. & quot; I think that' s one of the challenges with all this advertising.

It' s going to be boiling itself down to what makes the best political argument. & quot; CNNMoney. com contributed to this report.

All About & bull;

In this new weekly feature, CNN. com highlights five recommended Twitter feeds about a hot topic in the news. ( CNN) - - The U. Senate Finance Committee this week passed a 10- year, $ 829 billion health care reform bill - - partly because of a & quot; yes& quot; vote from a lone Republican, Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine. Snowe doesn' t appear to be on Twitter. Too bad.

But plenty of other people are posting about health care reform and the U.

S. health care system on the micro- blogging site. This list of health care twitterers is by no means comprehensive, so feel free to tell us about your favorites in the comments section below. 1. : The health care reform debate has been nothing if not confusing. & quot; Death panels, & quot; & quot; tea parties, & quot; Rep. Joe Wilson shouting & quot; You lie! & quot; at the president.

It' s a mess to sort through, especially on a vat of commentary and opinion like Twitter. Luckily, there are feeds like @ Politi. Fact to help. This Pulitzer- Prize- winning news group, which is part of the St. Petersburg Times, sorts fact from fiction on the health care debate and other topics.

That & quot; You lie! & quot; comment, for instance? A lie, Politifact says. Followers: More than 4, 800 Sample tweet: We fact- check whether the Baucus # healthcare bill would tax medical devices such as X- ray tests and surgical needles 2. : Fox is a researcher at the Pew Internet and American Life Project. Doesn' t sound very health- care- relevant, huh? But Fox' s Twitter feed is packed with anecdotes and statistics about how social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook are changing doctor- patient relationships and the state of health care at large.

Followers: More than 2, 150 Sample tweet: Pew Internet: 38% of internet users look online for information about hospitals or other medical facilities 3. : Blogger and doctor Kevin Pho offers up commentary on his life as a physician and the health care system. His random tidbits of medical information can be a riot, especially if you' re looking in from outside the medical community.

Followers: More than 15, 300 Sample tweet: Should medical journals use the term nauseous, nauseated, or nauseating? http: / / bit. ly/ 1yffx 4. : Buildings can type? Apparently.

The official White House Twitter feed covers a slate of topics, but heath care has been especially big on the administration' s recent tweeting agenda. Followers: More than 1. 3 million Sample tweet: Jibber jabber on costs in reform from protectors of the status quo. Take it from the expert instead: 5. : This doctors' group tries to spice up the health care debate with its purple font!

Oh, and tons of newsy updates on the latest votes, disputes and developments. Followers: More than 5, 600 Sample tweet: Why do # healthcare costs keep rising?

An in- depth analysis of America' s health system. @ This. American. Life http: / / ow. ly/ u 0JX All About & bull;

Doing the environmentally correct thing can be a challenge. After all, there aren' t many of us who actually have the time or enterprise to compost or the spare cash to replace the washer, dryer, or other appliances with the latest energy- efficient models.

But here' s a convenient truth: Small changes really do make a big difference - - not only for but for your own health - - and may even save you some money. Here, a few to try today. Take shorter showers Install a waterproof timer in your shower, and set it to five minutes. Even better: Replace your showerhead with one of the new & quot; low- flow& quot; or & quot; water- saving& quot; models.

They' re easy to install and available at home- improvement stores. Look for a flow rate of 2. 5 gallons per minute ( gpm) or less; older showerheads have flow rates of around 5. 5 gpm. ( And, don' t worry, you' ll still be able to get the suds out of your hair. ) Why it' s good for the Earth: Using a low- flow showerhead, a family of four can conserve almost 15, 000 gallons of water per year.

Why it' s good for you: Hot water strips skin of its natural oils, so spending less time in the shower can result in better- hydrated skin. Bypass the dry cleaner Buy fewer clothes labeled & quot; dry- clean only. & quot; Also, look for a cleaner that wet- cleans, using nonhazardous solutions and special equipment. ( Find out where the service is available in . ) You can hand- wash many dry- clean- only garments in cold water, too. Why it' s good for the Earth: Perc ( short for perchloroethylene) , the standard solvent used in conventional dry cleaning, eventually breaks down into other chemicals - - some of which are toxic and may deplete the ozone layer, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Why it' s good for you: In high doses, perc has been linked with dizziness, headaches, fatigue, nausea, and skin irritation Go easy on beef Make it a tuna or salmon burger instead.

Why it' s good for the Earth: Red meat production is responsible for about two- and- a- half times more greenhouse- gas emissions than chicken or fish. Why it' s good for you: Fish rich in omega- 3 fatty acids, like tuna and salmon, not only are good for your heart ( helping lower triglycerides and blood pressure) but can help prevent dry skin, too. Eat fish twice a week.

Ditch air fresheners Indoor air may be up to three times more polluted than the air outdoors, so go fresh the natural way by opening your windows.

For a light, citrusy fragrance, place orange peel mixed with sage in small bowls throughout your home.

Why it' s good for the Earth: The Natural Resources Defense Council ( NRDC) tested 14 air fresheners and found that 12 contained phthalates, chemicals linked to hormone abnormalities, birth defects, and reproductive problems. Even products billed & quot; all- natural& quot; or & quot; unscented& quot; weren' t chemical- free. Why it' s good for you: In addition to phthalates, the NRDC says, air fresheners may contain allergens, volatile organic compounds ( VOCs) , and cancer- causing chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde. Buy organic coffee Besides & quot; Certified , & quot; look for & quot; Shade Grown& quot; ( a process that preserves more nutrients) and & quot; Fair Trade& quot; ( these coffee farmers are paid a fair price, so they don' t look for growing shortcuts) . Why it' s good for the Earth: Pesticides and fertilizers used in conventional coffee production can harm soil and seep into water supplies.

Why it' s good for you: Fewer synthetic agents involved in chemical treatment means a healthier cup of Joe. Skip the liquid soap Stick with the bar kind. Why it' s good for the Earth: Many liquid soaps, though convenient, contain triclosan, an antibiotic agent toxic to wildlife. Why it' s good for you: You can easily overdo it with liquid soap, which can dry out your skin and make it susceptible to germs. Plus, antibacterial soaps don' t always deliver the germ- killing benefits they promise.

Toss that flea collar Baths are a great way to de- flea your sans chemicals. Wash your animal friend' s bedding in hot water once a week, too. Why it' s good for the Earth: Pesticides used in flea collars may contain toxic chemicals, including possible carcinogens, that can contaminate water. Why it' s good for you: Many pesticides are designed to obstruct the nervous systems of bugs. But they can also interfere with human hormones over time, says Sarah Janssen, M.

D. , NRDC environmental- health expert. Nix the screen saver Set your to & quot; sleep& quot; after five minutes of inactivity. Why it' s good for the Earth: Animated screen savers consume electricity unnecessarily, says Taylor Grant, executive environmental advisor of the Environmental Media Association. Why it' s good for you: Eco- psychologists say even a small Earth- friendly gesture can have a positive affect on mental health. to win a monthly Room Makeover Giveaway from My. Home.

Ideas. com Copyright All About & bull; & bull; & bull;

Editor' s Note: Actor and environmentalist Harrison Ford is also the Vice Chairman of , an organization that seeks to protect and conserve the Earth' s natural resources. He' s at the Convention on Biological Diversity conference in Nagoya, Japan, where delegates are working to agree new targets for biodiversity over the next 10 years. Nagoya, Japan ( CNN) - - This week, I have had the opportunity to meet with ministers and country delegates from around the world who have gathered in Nagoya, Japan, to set a global conservation action plan for the next ten years.

This is a critical moment in time for environmental ministers gathered here to work together to set bold, ambitious targets to protect nature and the services it provides. Decisions made here will not only impact our planet' s environmental health, but every person, family, and nation that depend on nature to survive and thrive. Biodiversity is the foundation of all life on Earth. Human societies cannot provide for themselves the essential services provided by nature and healthy ecosystems. Among them: A stable climate, clean air, fresh water, insect populations that pollinate our food crops, healthy soils, and sources of pharmaceuticals for human health.

However, biodiversity loss and ecosystem destruction pose a global challenge of unprecedented proportions. The current rate of species extinction is 1, 000 times the expected natural rate. While the concept of biodiversity can be complicated, think of it as is the very fabric of life on earth and each species a thread. How many threads can we lose before the fabric is in tatters?

No matter how powerful our drive for improving the human condition we will not succeed over the long haul if Nature is not healthy. Evidence is everywhere around the globe. For example, more than one billion people currently lack reliable access to clean drinking water, and 2. 6 billion lack adequate access to sanitation. Global fish stocks - - food security for one billion people - - have fallen by 90 percent.

NATURE doesn' t need people. PEOPLE need nature. Over the next 30 years, three billion people are expected to join us. Within this short space we will need to double our food output and fresh water availability. And all of this must be achieved on a planet whose ecological foundation is already severely stressed.

If we honestly assessed the economic value of the services that nature proves humanity, we would understand that we have undervalued our healthy ecosystems. These are daunting problems, but a solution to these challenges is available. Protected areas - - both on land and in our oceans - - constitute a pivotal cornerstone in halting biodiversity loss.

In fact, in a world facing tremendous pressure to convert intact ecosystems into other forms of land use - - from agriculture to urbanization - - protected areas are likely to be the ONLY intact natural environments that will remain in many regions impacted by human activity.

To this end, I urge our global leaders to strongly support policies to protect at least 25 percent of Earth' s land mass and 15 percent of Earth' s oceans by 2020. As important as the number is the fact that these areas are chosen carefully. They must include those areas of our planet that are particularly important to global biodiversity AND ALSO provide critical ecosystem services. Simply put - - those areas that nature and humanity most need to survive.

It is clear that the costs of protecting intact ecosystems, with their multitude of services, are far outweighed by the benefits. Protecting biodiversity is in our self- interest.

As the father of five children, I can think of no greater responsibility. While important decisions are being made here in Nagoya about the future health of our planet, one country is missing: The United States. Seventeen years ago, President Clinton committed the United States to ratifying the Convention on Biodiversity. It has still not happened. We are essentially alone in refusing to join this agreement that we, as a nation, were instrumental in drafting.

What this means is that our country does not have a seat at the table in shaping global environmental policies that support the protection of nature and long- term sustainable economic development. Our national interests in the agricultural, research, pharmaceutical and biotech sectors will be affected, but we will have no vote. That makes no sense.

As an American citizen I urge my government to ratify this convention' s treaty. I hope you join me in encouraging your political leaders to do the same.

The future of each of our nations, of the entire community of nations, will be impacted by the choices made this week. Our world is at a tipping point, and we can choose to save it - - and ourselves - - but we must act decisively, and we must act now. There has been news that gives us cause for hope with the announcement of the & quot; Life in Harmony& quot; Initiative by the Government of Japan. This $ 2 billion investment provides critical assistance to countries that are focused on the conservation and sustainable use of their natural ecosystems.

This is exactly the type of leadership that is needed by our governments to ensure the protection of our global biodiversity, and the future of humanity. The opinions in this commentary are solely those of Harrison Ford.