Statement from UN Foundation CEO and President, Kathy Calvin on the White House release of the National Climate Assessment

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Sahar Wali
swali@unfoundation.org

Today, the White House released the Third National Assessment, the most thorough analysis of the scientific body of knowledge on climate impacts across the United States. Kathy Calvin, President and CEO of the UN Foundation released the following statement:

“This year with the release of the IPCC Working Groups 2 and 3 reports and today’s release of the US National Climate Assessment, we have the most comprehensive system-wide global evidence on the science and impacts of climate change. From rising sea levels to more intense storms, these impacts are widespread and consequential. Communities everywhere are experiencing them in different ways, and if we don’t act, they will get worse. To truly tackle the issues that face us – hunger, poverty, inequality, conflict, water scarcity, development – we need a healthy climate. Climate change impacts everything from ecosystems and species to hunger, poverty, development, and global conflict. That’s why this year must be the year that citizens around the world become climate champions, and let their leaders know that we can’t afford to wait any longer for concrete, substantial action. Cities from New York to Buenos Aires are taking steps to prepare and respond to the climate challenge. When it comes to climate change, we know the problem, we have solutions, and now we need to help the world – our leaders, our industries, and our communities alike – to increase their will to do something about it.”