Economy
UN Climate Summit 2014 … Catalyzing Action … in Hobart
Climate change is not a far-off problem. It is happening now and is having very real consequences on people’s lives. Climate change is disrupting national economies, costing us dearly today and even more tomorrow. But there is a growing recognition that affordable, scalable solutions are available now that will enable us all to leapfrog to cleaner, more resilient economies.
There is a sense that change is in the air. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has invited world leaders, from government, finance, business, and civil society to Climate Summit 2014 this 23 September to galvanize and catalyze climate action. He has asked these leaders to bring bold announcements and actions to the Summit that will reduce emissions, strengthen climate resilience, and mobilize political will for a meaningful legal agreement in 2015. Climate Summit 2014 provides a unique opportunity for leaders to champion an ambitious vision, anchored in action that will enable a meaningful global agreement in 2015.
• Heidi Gill, People’s Climate March: Successful Hobart Pop-Up Climate Gathering at MONA attracts hundreds, while 310,000 march in New York …
Approximately 500 people gathered at MONA yesterday in support of marches and events around the world, including the biggest in New York – a march attended by 310, 000 people including UN Secretary General Ban Ki-¬moon, and celebrities such as Leonardo Di Caprio and Mark Ruffalo.
Tomorrow world leaders including Barack Obama and British PM David Cameron are meeting in New York City for a UN summit on the climate crisis. UN Secretary¬ General Ban Ki-¬moon is urging governments to support an ambitious global agreement to dramatically reduce global warming pollution. Unfortunately our own Prime Minister will not be attending, despite being in New York to attend a UN Security Council meeting the next day.
Hobart’s part in this global picture, was a great turnout at MONA, with the crowd gathering near the museum’s entrance for a huge group photo, with placards demanding urgent action on climate change. This was followed by two sides volleying the earth over MONA’s tennis court net – a battle between fossil fuel and renewable energy – and speakers including Susan Austin from Climate Action Hobart.
Event organisers were pleased with the numbers, and how the event unfolded, on a beautiful (perhaps a little too warm for a Hobart?) spring day. Photos, video footage and tweets from Hobart’s event are being added to the collection from around the world, through Get Up! and the People’s Climate March websites.
Hobart event organisers say that we need to keep reminding everyone about climate change, and events like yesterday’s at MONA are part of the global movement doing just that.
“This is not an issue that is going to go away.” says event coordinator Heidi Gill. “We have to keep reminding people, and especially our Government, that pretending climate change doesn’t exist will not stop it’s destructive forces. Renewable energy is a major part of the solution. Our Governments need to get behind this.” (Please note there is a rally to support keeping the Renewable Energy Target this Friday in Hobart – 12 noon outside Senator Eric Abetz office organised by renewable energy groups).
This event was organised by members of Climate Action Hobart and concerned Tasmanian individuals.
Links:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/peoplesclimate/sets/
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/thousands-including-leonardo-dicaprio-join-people-climate-march-article-1.1947403
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-29301969
http://peoplesclimate.org/
http://rallyforrenewables.com.au/locations/
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