In an age when floods, droughts, and storms have affected the people of the world

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In an age when floods, droughts, and storms have
affected the people of the world
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The United Nations is there
combating climate change in all four corners of
the world
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WATER SHORTAGES
MASS MIGRATIONS
DESERTIFICATION
MELTING ICE CAPS
EXTREME WEATHER
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We cannot continue with business as usual.
We need to take joint action on a global scale
We have to make real progress on an issue I
believe defines our collective future, more than
any other climate change. - U.N.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
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What causes climate change or global warming?
Carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere
through - natural processes (e.g.
breathing, decomposition) - man-made processes
(e.g. car exhaust, factories, brush
fires) The carbon dioxide builds up in the
atmosphere and absorbs and re-radiates heat which
increases surface and atmospheric
temperature. The buildup of carbon dioxide has
increased exponentially due to human activity.
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What are the consequences of climate change?

• Rising sea levels from melting ice caps
• Extreme weather
• Desertification
• Lower crop yields
• Mass migrations
• Drinking water shortages
• More vector-borne diseases such as malaria
• Changing ecosystems
• Destroyed homes and habitats
• Less biodiversity, fewer species

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What is the U.N. doing?
- Placing climate change at the top of the global
agenda
- Bringing together global experts to reach
impartial conclusions
- Building a UN framework for international
action
- Greening the United Nations
- Placing climate change at the top of the global
agenda
- Sharing technologies with wealthier developed
countries
- Creating national programs around the world
- Reporting on emissions/Monitoring compliance
- Developing new tools to reduce emissions
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U.N. Commitments

• The United Nations Framework Convention on
  Climate Change (UNFCCC)
• First treaty to reduce global warming (created in
  1992)
• 191 countries are committed to developing
  national strategies for addressing global warming

• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
• 174 countries committed to setting targets and
  timetables for limiting emissions in
  industrialized countries
• Provides scientific, technical and
  socio-economic advice to the global community

• U.N. Support Agencies
• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
• UN Environmental Programme (UNEP)
• International Fund for Agricultural Development
  (IFAD)

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U.N. Timetable for Action

• High-Table on Climate Change
• 24 September 2007
• World leaders will meet to map out how to address
  climate change and support progress at the Bali
  Conference.
• IPCC Fourth Assessment Report
• 16 November 2007
• A comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the
  current state of knowledge on climate change.
• Climate Change Conference in Bali
• 3-14 December 2007
• Over 180 participating countries
  Representatives from intergovernmental and
  nongovernmental organizations.

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U.N. Next Steps

• Concrete steps for world leaders to reach an
  agreement by 2009
• A rolling format for talks under UN auspices
  before the Kyoto Protocol runs out in 2012
• Address the needs of countries most affected by
  climate change

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Climate Change Affects YOU
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For more information on climate change,visit
the U.N. online atwww.un.org/climatechange