The climate change issue
Viivi Erkkilä, intern at the Nordic Desk at UNRIC in Brussels
Climate change is undeniably the defining issue of our time. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon emphasised that climate change is “simply the greatest collective challenge we face as a human family” in a speech given in Seoul, Korea, in August 2009. The Secretary-General has made climate change his top priority and dedicated himself to galvanising support for reaching a post-Kyoto climate agreement in Copenhagen in December 2009. The decisions made in Copenhagen will have significant effects on energy production, industry, traffic and housing, thus shaping the way for a more sustainable future.
Climate change is, therefore, not only an issue on the agendas of world leaders, it affects all of us. This concern for the future of our planet is reflected in the number and wide range of contributions to the eight issue of Internal Voices. UN interns around the world want to make their voices heard in the climate change discussion pointing out urgent threats, as well as suggesting possible solutions to the crisis. Many of the contributors are especially concerned about the impact of climate change on the livelihood of people in developing countries. Suggested ways to manage the crisis include new forms of energy efficiency on the governmental level and subsidies for developing countries to help them switch to renewable technologies.
In compiling this issue, I have, however, come to realise that even though some people seem to be overwhelmed by the amount of information on climate change, many are still ignorant of the urgency of the situation. Why should we change our behaviour when others are continuing as if nothing is happening? Changing old consumption patterns and attitudes is not easy, but it is necessary in order to preserve our planet for future generations.
Awareness-raising is a key component in facilitating a global change in attitude and behaviour, and this is something which we all can participate in. Turning the lights off when leaving the room or riding a bike to work are simple choices that take little effort, but if masses of people decide to make these changes, they will have an immense impact on a global level.
I hope the eight issue of Internal Voices will be a wake-up call for those still in doubt about the real impact of climate change on our lives. Everyone’s support and efforts are needed to stop the current course of climate change. There is no time to waste: let’s help world governments to ‘Seal the Deal’ in Copenhagen by showing our support for a new global and effective climate agreement. ■
>> Download the Climate Change edition in PDF by clicking here <<
Editor VIIVI ERKKILÄ
Layout Editor SØREN FRIIS
Editorial Team HELENE FAURE, SØREN FRIIS, JESSICA LOPEZ, JAMES MORRIS, KIMBERLY OSTRUM, WILLIAM WHITAKER
Contributors JUAN ARIAS, MARIA ERDAL ASKIM, PRABHAT BARNWAL, ASTRID BOTHMANN, MOSES CHEGE, CAMILLE DANVERS, SAMANTHA DEMARTINO, SIMONA DONINI, HELENE FAURE, NICOLAS FOURNIER, SØREN FRIIS, FEDERICA GALAFATE, OLIVIA GIPPNER, ELÇIN HASKOLLAR, BHAGIRATH JOGDAND, ANNA KERN, ALIREZA SHAMS LAHIJANI, JENNYFER LEDUC, HANNAH LEIGH, JESSICA LOPEZ, SABRIA REGRAGUI MAZILI, JAMES MORRIS, DIANA MUSYOKA, LAURA NEUVONEN, KIMBERLY OSTRUM, CLAIRE SAGET, KAMAYANI SOLANKI, PEDRO SOUSA, JONATHAN STONE, AKSEL SUNDSTRÖM
Special thanks to GREGORY CORNWELL, CELINE CROON, ÅSA DAHLVIK, KAREN DAVIES, ANDREW MILROY, UNRIC STAFF
Cover image KARIN BEATE NØSTERUD/NORDEN.ORG Atomium images ANNE BJØRN
IMAGES are predominantly UN Photos available from un.org/photos or public domain images from wikipedia. We have noted all sources and photographers where information is available. Alternative sources are noted on the image.
I.V. is a 100% UN interns' magazine giving all UN interns the opportunity to network, express opinions and share knowledge, points of view and experiences. Everything from articles to layout and editing is done by UN interns. If you want to get involved, the intern team at UNRIC in Brussels would love to hear from you!
internalvoices@unric.org
http://internal-voices.blogspot.com
Viivi Erkkilä, intern at the Nordic Desk at UNRIC in Brussels
Climate change is undeniably the defining issue of our time. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon emphasised that climate change is “simply the greatest collective challenge we face as a human family” in a speech given in Seoul, Korea, in August 2009. The Secretary-General has made climate change his top priority and dedicated himself to galvanising support for reaching a post-Kyoto climate agreement in Copenhagen in December 2009. The decisions made in Copenhagen will have significant effects on energy production, industry, traffic and housing, thus shaping the way for a more sustainable future.
Climate change is, therefore, not only an issue on the agendas of world leaders, it affects all of us. This concern for the future of our planet is reflected in the number and wide range of contributions to the eight issue of Internal Voices. UN interns around the world want to make their voices heard in the climate change discussion pointing out urgent threats, as well as suggesting possible solutions to the crisis. Many of the contributors are especially concerned about the impact of climate change on the livelihood of people in developing countries. Suggested ways to manage the crisis include new forms of energy efficiency on the governmental level and subsidies for developing countries to help them switch to renewable technologies.
In compiling this issue, I have, however, come to realise that even though some people seem to be overwhelmed by the amount of information on climate change, many are still ignorant of the urgency of the situation. Why should we change our behaviour when others are continuing as if nothing is happening? Changing old consumption patterns and attitudes is not easy, but it is necessary in order to preserve our planet for future generations.
Awareness-raising is a key component in facilitating a global change in attitude and behaviour, and this is something which we all can participate in. Turning the lights off when leaving the room or riding a bike to work are simple choices that take little effort, but if masses of people decide to make these changes, they will have an immense impact on a global level.
I hope the eight issue of Internal Voices will be a wake-up call for those still in doubt about the real impact of climate change on our lives. Everyone’s support and efforts are needed to stop the current course of climate change. There is no time to waste: let’s help world governments to ‘Seal the Deal’ in Copenhagen by showing our support for a new global and effective climate agreement. ■
>> Download the Climate Change edition in PDF by clicking here <<
Editor VIIVI ERKKILÄ
Layout Editor SØREN FRIIS
Editorial Team HELENE FAURE, SØREN FRIIS, JESSICA LOPEZ, JAMES MORRIS, KIMBERLY OSTRUM, WILLIAM WHITAKER
Contributors JUAN ARIAS, MARIA ERDAL ASKIM, PRABHAT BARNWAL, ASTRID BOTHMANN, MOSES CHEGE, CAMILLE DANVERS, SAMANTHA DEMARTINO, SIMONA DONINI, HELENE FAURE, NICOLAS FOURNIER, SØREN FRIIS, FEDERICA GALAFATE, OLIVIA GIPPNER, ELÇIN HASKOLLAR, BHAGIRATH JOGDAND, ANNA KERN, ALIREZA SHAMS LAHIJANI, JENNYFER LEDUC, HANNAH LEIGH, JESSICA LOPEZ, SABRIA REGRAGUI MAZILI, JAMES MORRIS, DIANA MUSYOKA, LAURA NEUVONEN, KIMBERLY OSTRUM, CLAIRE SAGET, KAMAYANI SOLANKI, PEDRO SOUSA, JONATHAN STONE, AKSEL SUNDSTRÖM
Special thanks to GREGORY CORNWELL, CELINE CROON, ÅSA DAHLVIK, KAREN DAVIES, ANDREW MILROY, UNRIC STAFF
Cover image KARIN BEATE NØSTERUD/NORDEN.ORG Atomium images ANNE BJØRN
IMAGES are predominantly UN Photos available from un.org/photos or public domain images from wikipedia. We have noted all sources and photographers where information is available. Alternative sources are noted on the image.
I.V. is a 100% UN interns' magazine giving all UN interns the opportunity to network, express opinions and share knowledge, points of view and experiences. Everything from articles to layout and editing is done by UN interns. If you want to get involved, the intern team at UNRIC in Brussels would love to hear from you!
internalvoices@unric.org
http://internal-voices.blogspot.com
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