Sep 4 2009
Standing on rapidly melting polar ice, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appealed to the world for urgent measures to be taken to combat climate change to protect the planet for future generations.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) and Erik Solheim, Norway's Environment Minister, with a "Seal the Deal" banner during the UN Chief's visit to the Polar ice rim to witness firsthand the impact of climate change on icebergs and glaciers
"I feel the power of nature, and at the same time, a sense of vulnerability," Mr. Ban told reporters from the Polar ice rim yesterday. "This is a common resource for human beings, and we must do all we can to preserve this Arctic ice."
Witnessing the impacts of climate change on icebergs and glaciers first-hand, he said that he was informed by scientists that global warming is altering the Arctic faster than any other area.
"We must stop this from further happening," the Secretary-General stressed. "Unless we fight climate change, unless we stop this trend, we'll have devastating consequences for humanity."
With fewer than 100 days remaining until the start of the climate change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, where nations are set to wrap up talks on a new agreement to slash greenhouse gas emissions, Mr Ban is convening a high-level gathering in New York on 22 September to shore up political will.
"We do not have any time to lose," Mr. Ban underscored. "We must seal the deal in Copenhagen in December, a deal which will be comprehensive, equitable and balanced, so that both industrialized and developing countries, and all citizens of the world can live in an environmentally sustainable way."
In the margins of the high-level event, Global Climate Week on 21-25 September will mobilize people around the planet as part of the UN-wide Seal the Deal! campaign. Among the events planned in more than 120 countries are youth assemblies, tree planting drives, a climate neutral day and a 'Go Green Day'. In addition, communities, businesses and individuals are being encouraged to add their voices to the UN-led Seal the Deal! campaign by signing the Climate Petition at www.sealthedeal2009.org.