Sen. Timothy E. Wirth, Vice Chair of the United Nations Foundation, on the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Working Group II Report on Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerabilities

Statement of Sen. Timothy E. Wirth, Vice Chair of the United Nations Foundation, on the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Working Group II Report on Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerabilities:

“Today the world’s  foremost panel of scientific experts, working under the auspices of the United Nations, said that every country is already feeling the impacts of a changing climate. There is so much evidence, we can no longer plead ignorance.

Climate change is more than an issue of the environment, it is an issue upon which global food security, public health, and economic development depend. The world faces greater and greater risk as emissions increase. As the leadership of the panel says, the social stability of human systems could be at stake.

We have the solutions at hand – what’s missing is the political fortitude to take on the issue and the political vision to recognize the opportunity. It is time for the world – individuals, communities, and governments alike – to take action. For the sake of our children and grandchildren – and all young people living today – our task is to manage the unavoidable, so that we and they can avoid the unmanageable.”

Media Contact: Sahar Wali
swali@unfoundation.org

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About the United Nations Foundation

The United Nations Foundation builds public-private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and broadens support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach. Through innovative campaigns and initiatives, the Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The Foundation was created in 1998 as a U.S. public charity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner and now is supported by global corporations, foundations, governments, and individuals. For more information, visit www.unfoundation.org