The time for climate action is now – and everyone has a part to play.
That’s the message from today’s opening of Climate Week NYC, an event organised by the Climate Group which brings speakers together from business, politics, agriculture and religion.
Now in its fourth year, Climate Week NYC aims to bring together people from across sectors with one aim: to promote a Clean Energy Revolution.
Climate Group Chief Executive Mark Kenber opened this year’s event with a call to the USA to lead this new revolution: “2.7 million Americans are employed in the clean energy economy. But if America wants to be a global leader, change must be faster,” he said.
“The next US administration can ensure America maintains and strengthens its lead in the global clean energy sector… the US must not fall behind its competitors.”
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Prince Albert of Monaco and Twitter co-founder Evan Williams are among many taking part in the debate – you can follow it via the hash tag #climateweeknyc. Here’s a Twitter taster of the action so far…
A decisive decade
World Bank Vice President of Sustainable Development Rachel Kyte told the crowds that policy choices made over the next ten years would determine what future the world will face over the next 100…
Rachel Kyte World Bank Group believes we’re in a make or break decade for #climate change @rkyte365 #climateweeknyc
— Kelly Rigg (@kellyrigg) September 24, 2012
“Nothing short of transformational action is needed to confront the climate challenge before us” -Rachel Kyte #climateweeknyc — WB Sustainable Dev (@wbsustaindev) September 24, 2012
@markkenber wants to present a message of hope.Low carbon future is dawning.Will America lead or get left behind?#climateweeknyc — Kelly Rigg (@kellyrigg) September 24, 2012
“The world – and the poor in particular – cannot afford to lose the climate battle in the decade ahead” -Rachel Kyte #climateweeknyc
— WB Sustainable Dev (@wbsustaindev) September 24, 2012
Clean energy future
What will drive investment in renewables? The belief that it’s the ‘right thing to do’, or hard-nosed business decisions?
Tony Blair: Driving the clean revolution is a matter of self-interest.#Climate, diversity of #energy supply and costs. #climateweeknyc — Kelly Rigg (@kellyrigg) September 24, 2012
Prince Albert of Monaco quotes MLK at #climateweekNYC “Take the first step in faith, you dont have to see the whole staircase…” — Andrew McCornack (@AMcCornack) September 24, 2012
Investment in #cleanrevolution makes economic sense, as an unmitigated world will cost us much more. – Walter Bell of @swissre
— The Climate Group (@ClimateGroup) September 24, 2012
Energy efficiency is a key – how can companies and politicians work together. The time is now says Phillips #CleanRevolution #climateweeknyc
— Act NOW (@ActNOWmovement) September 24, 2012
Climate melting pot
This is a decision we will ALL have to take – no sector is ‘an island’. Farmers, doctors and priests are all chipping in…
Head of Farmers Union says farmers are the original environmentalists, are ready to act, waiting for the signal from gov’t @ #climateweekNYC
— Andrew McCornack (@AMcCornack) September 24, 2012
Climate change is hazardous to our health – dr Cecil Wilson president-elect world medical association #climateweeknyc#cleanrevolution — Eduardo Goncalves (@eduardo_gonc) September 24, 2012
Rep of World Evangelical Assn: Younger generation of US evangelicals see need for #climate action as a moral imperative #climateweekNYC
— Kelly Rigg (@kellyrigg) September 24, 2012
Making change easy
How can we help people make the ‘right decisions’ (whatever they are?!)
Twitter’s Evan Williams: we should stop talking abt “climate” to general public. Focus on solutions that simply make sense. #climateweekNYC — Kelly Rigg (@kellyrigg) September 24, 2012
It is up to us to do more: to convince reluctant entrepreneurs, make consumers more aware of challenges – HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco
— The Climate Group (@ClimateGroup) September 24, 2012
In Europe there’s huge appetite among consumers for #green solutions that save money, are more efficient. Same situation in US. – Tony Blair
— The Climate Group (@ClimateGroup) September 24, 2012
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