Now Reading
World Climate Forum Launched to Address the Greatest Threat to Global Community
World Climate Forum Launched to Address the Greatest Threat to Global Community
Published 09-14-04
Submitted by Susten8
Following extreme weather patterns, government, scientific and academic research reports, and rising interest from the business media , the World Climate Forum comes at a time when many people, across sectors and industries, see climate change as an opportunity for delivering economic prosperity, social responsibility and environmental sustainability. For the first time, the WCF will provide a collaborative and inclusive framework and network where business, government, academic, scientific, and non-governmental leaders and innovators will be able to actively address the single greatest threat to our global community, and reduce and adapt to the direct and indirect impacts of humanity's activity on our climate.
In light of the British government's stewardship of the G8 summit, its presidency of the EU, and its policy priority, this three-day forum, to be held in London, August 2005, will be a perfect opportunity to highlight climate change challenges at the national and international level. "This is not just a political, environmental or economical issue. This is a challenge to all of humanity that needs to be addressed now," says Michael Mathres, co-founder of Susten8 and the independent and apolitical WCF. "The biggest irony is that we already have all the technology and financial resources needed at our fingertips. This will be the first opportunity for the global community to get together and coordinate this most essential step towards a low carbon economy whilst adapting to the inevitable changes in our climate."
Participants will be encouraged to look beyond the Kyoto protocol and:
The WCF will be officially launched, in London, on September 27th with a series of monthly events that will act as forums to showcase, educate and accelerate practical ways of mitigating, preventing and adapting to climate change across sectors and industries. The first event, "Climate Change Innovators" , sponsored by Pricewaterhouse Coopers (www.climatechangeservices.com), Carbon Trust (www.thecarbontrust.co.uk) and Climate Change Capital (www.climatechangecapital.co.uk) will see 12 leading climate change experts speak to government, business, NGO, scientific and academic leaders. This will be followed by events focused on energy, transportation, waste & recycling, agriculture, and construction .
"People are beginning to accept that humans have a direct impact on the climate and therefore each individual and organisation has the power to take responsibility for their actions and make a real difference. It is a matter of utmost urgency that we collectively change our behaviours now," says James Wallace, co-founder of Susten8 and the WCF. "By organising these forums, we will show that it is possible to bring together people and organisations from all sectors and industries to work together in tackling climate change issues."
These events will build momentum over the next six months to garner interest, people and resources from the private, public and third sector to actively participate in the launch of the World Climate Forum in August 2005.
About the World Climate Forum (WCF) - The World Climate Forum is an international independent organisation committed to solve climate change issues. The forum provides a collaborative and inclusive framework and network for the world's leaders to actively address, promote, and innovate global climate challenges, engaging corporations, governments, NGOs, academia and scientists. It is created by Susten8 (www.susten8.com).
