Melting ice in the Arctic is a threat to hundreds of millions of people, a new UN-report states. Norway is aiming to become a pioneer in combating man-made climate change.
07/06/2007 :: The Report - Global Outlook for Ice and Snow was launched at the opening of World Environmental Day (WED) at the Polar Environment Center in Tromsø. The main message of the report is that the consequences of melting ice will have a major impact on people, animals, and the environment around the globe, if the world is not acting quickly.
Hundreds of Millions Affected
“What concerns us is that the speed of the melting ice is accelerating rapidly. The consequences of the rapid melting will have disastrous consequences for hundreds of millions of people”, says the Director of Center for International Climate and Environmental Research (CICERO), Pål Presterud.
“The earth is warming at an alarming rate, we are running out of fossil fuels, and it is long past time for us to take action to correct these problems”, says US President, Bill Clinton.
Norway Aiming for a Leading Role
Climate change is a global challenge and demands international cooperation. Norway, as one of the countries located in the Arctic Circle, has launched a national strategy for the High North. The government is committed to attain sustainable development and reduce toxic emissions.
Norway has ambitions to become a pioneering country on environmental issues, and seeks to strengthen international cooperation on these issues within the framework of the UN and the EU.
The Norwegian Minister of the Environment, Helen Bjørnøy, the Norwegian Minister of International Development, Erik Solheim, as well as the UNEP Executive Director, Achim Steiner, were all present at the international event in Tromsø.
Closer Cooperation
The annul environment day on 5 June is aiming to give environmental issues a human face; empower people to become agents of sustainable development; promote an understanding that communities are critical to changing attitudes towards environmental issues; and advocate public-private partnerships, which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.
International Polar Year
The International Polar Year 2007-2008 has started. Hence, Tromsø as one of the northernmost cities in the world was a natural choice for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), when they assemble an event with Arctic issues on top of the agenda.
WED has since 1972 been one of the principal vehicles through which the UN stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs