Action needed to avert climate disaster, say NGOs
Friends of the Earth press release
GLOBAL WARNING: WORLD MUST ACT TO AVOID CLIMATE DISASTER, SAYS FRIENDS OF THE EARTH
Commenting on the publication today (Monday 31 March 2014) of a key UN scientific report, which is expected to warn of the dire consequences of our continuing failure to tackle climate change, Friends of the Earth’s Executive Director, Andy Atkins said
“We can’t continue to ignore the stark warnings of the catastrophic consequences of climate change on the lives and livelihoods of people across the planet.
“Giant strides are urgently needed to tackle the challenges we face, but all we get is tiny steps, excuses and delays from most of the politicians that are supposed to represent our interests.
“Governments across the world must stand up the oil, gas and coal industries, and take their foot of the fossil fuel accelerator that’s speeding us towards a climate disaster.
“If the UK Government wants to show international leadership it must abandon its short-sighted championing of fracking and oil, and get fully behind energy efficiency and our home-grown renewable power potential instead.”
ENDS
Notes:
1. The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment, Working Group 2, which is published today (Monday 31 March). It’s expected to paint a bleak picture about the impacts of climate change on food production, ecosystems, resources - such as water - and human health.
2. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is a UN body tasked with producing five yearly updates of knowledge on the scientific, technical and socio-economic aspects of climate change. It has three scientific working groups each producing and publishing a detailed report.
3. The first group Working Group 1, The Physical Science Basis (WG1) published its report in September 2013. A Friends of the Earth summary of its findings is available here:
http://www.foe.co.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/ipcc_report_2013.pdf
4. A third IPCC report , WG3 on mitigation is due out on Sunday 13 April 2014. A Friends of the Earth briefing is here: http://www.foe.co.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/advance-briefing-ipcc-report-climate-mitigaton-45694.pdf
5. In exclusive interviews for Friends of the Earth leading climate scientist Professor Kevin Anderson suggests carbon pollution from cars and fridges could fall 50-80% within 10 years if governments got tough on manufacturers. And Philippines climate negotiator Yeb Sano says winning the battle against climate change is a battle of hearts and minds given the scale of change required is as great as the industrial revolution: https://www.foe.co.uk/news/latest-climate-science
6. For more than 40 years we’ve seen that the wellbeing of people and planet go hand in hand – and it’s been the inspiration for our campaigns. Together with thousands of people like you we’ve secured safer food and water, defended wildlife and natural habitats, championed the move to clean energy and acted to keep our climate stable. Be a Friend of the Earth – see things differently. For further information visit www.foe.co.uk
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Dr Camilla Toulmin, Director of the International Institute for Environment and Development says:
“The new IPCC report highlights the threats climate change poses topeople’s peace and prosperity. It shows that countries, communities and companies must act fast to adapt to the changing climate, but it shows too that there are limits to adaptation and this drives home the urgency of global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Now is the time for unprecedented global solidarity and cooperation. Now is the opportunity for true leaders to shine.
“Some of the world’s least developed countries are already forging ahead. Ethiopia has committed to carbon-neutral development. Bangladesh has invested US$10 billion of its own money to adapt to extreme climatic events. Nepal is the first country to develop adaptation plans at the community level.
“It is time for the richer countries to pull their weight and do the right thing, by investing at home and abroad in actions that can reduce emissions and protect people and property from danger. The climate reminds us that we are all in this together and that we can only solve this problem is as a united international community.”
