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Leaders from more than 190 countries are in Paris right now working on a global climate change agreement. With so many officials in one place, this was already a big gathering. But today they were joined by voices from around the world.
The #EarthToParis coalition, which includes United Nations agencies, the UN Foundation, businesses, media outlets, non-profits, and global citizens, hosted more than 100 conversations in Paris and in places around the world – from Albania to Argentina to Australia. The goal of these conversations was to help:
- Raise the level of dialogue around climate change;
- Share ideas and climate solutions; and
- Bring the voices of people worldwide to the climate negotiations in Paris.
Here are nine themes we heard from you during these conversations.
1. People want strong action on climate change – and they want it now. In fact, people and groups around the world are already taking action, and they want governments to join them.
2. From renewable energy to clean cookstoves to energy storage technologies, solutions exist – and they’re decreasing in cost and increasing in performance.
3. Everyone has a role to play, and it’s going to take all of us – from all regions and all sectors – to make change happen.
4. Our voices matter. Elected officials and business leaders listen to what we say, how we vote, and how we buy, so individuals need to speak up and let leaders know they want climate action.
5. The well-being of people and planet are connected. Climate change is about the environment; it’s also about people.
6. Young people passionately care about the environment and addressing climate change. They are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but the climate leaders of today.
7. We won’t achieve our sustainable development agenda if we don’t act on climate. The good news is that climate solutions can improve health, open up educational and economic opportunities, and help end poverty and promote opportunity for all.
8. This climate change conference in Paris is a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity for leaders to spark more robust global action on climate change.
9. There are reasons to be optimistic – from new technologies to the power of people to drive change to the energy at the Paris conference.
#EarthToParis is more than a one-day moment; it’s a movement for people and planet that will continue after the conference in Paris concludes and the hard work continues. We hope you will join the UN Foundation and our partners in continuing the momentum for bold action to address climate change.
Image credit for theme #1: Design fellow David Rojas – School of Visual Arts, NYC
Image credit for theme #2: Design fellow Yinman Guo – School of Visual Arts, NYC
Image credit for theme #3: Design fellow Sara Al Kuwari – School of Visual Arts, NYC
Image credit for theme #5: Design fellow Margarita Korol – School of Visual Arts, NYC
Image credit for theme #6: Design fellow Margarita Korol – School of Visual Arts, NYC
Image credit for theme #7: Design fellow Sara Al Kuwari – School of Visual Arts, NYC
Image credit for theme #8: U.S. Embassy Brussels
Image credit for theme #9: Design fellow David Rojas – School of Visual Arts, NYC
Cover photo by Stuart Ramson/UN Foundation