World leaders need a wake up call. Have you phoned yours yet?
Our activists rappelled from a Pittsburgh bridge with a massive
banner displaying a message to G20 leaders gathering for tomorrow's
summit. The banner takes the form of a stylised "road sign" that
warns of the destruction ahead, if political maneuvering and delay
continue to plague an international climate treaty in
jeopardy.
World leaders must not fail again in Pittsburgh. They need to
put money on the table to support developing countries. It is also
critical that G20 leaders agree to kick-start economic recovery
through clean energy investment. Both of these elements are vital
to achieving a good deal at the Copenhagen Climate Summit in
December and averting catastrophic climate change.
Saving the environment and the economy
World financial representatives and leaders of the G20 (19 of
the world's largest national economies, plus the European Union)
are meeting in Pittsburgh to discuss both the global financial
crisis and the global climate crisis.
At this meeting US President Obama, German Chancellor Merkel,
French President Sarkozy and other G20 leaders will have an
opportunity to kick-start growth and put us on a path to stopping
climate change by agreeing to invest in clean, cutting edge
technologies for the future. Global prosperity is not in conflict
with preserving the environment -- in fact, our prosperity depends
on it. The decisions our leaders make at this meeting will help to
decide whether we
create millions of green jobs or face ecological and social
collapse.
Climate change affects the economy
Already, the price tag of climate change on global economies is
staggering - costing US $125 billion per year, according to the
Global Humanitarian Forum. If leaders fail to take the actions
urgently needed this year, climate change impacts will likely cost
over 20 percent of global GDP -- more than the Great Depression and
both World Wars combined, in addition to the human deaths and
species extinctions, according to Lord Stern, former World Bank
chief economist.
Given the predicted impacts - and the associated costs -- we
simply can't afford not to tackle global warming.
We're calling on developed countries to contribute at least US$
140 billion a year by 2020, to developing countries in order to
enable them to adapt to and take action on climate change and to
finance forest protection.
We can use this economic crisis as an opportunity to invest in
our future. By massively increasing energy efficiency and
investing in renewable, sustainable energy sources like solar and
wind power - world leaders will stimulate their economies, create
jobs, promote sustainable growth and address the climate crisis.
But failing to do so would be more than a missed opportunity -- it
could spell disaster for our planet.
Check out a blog from Michelle, on the ground in Pittsburgh
"Nail biting as Greenpeace activists are hanging from bridge in
Pittsburgh"
See twitter updates, comments and images on the live feed
Shaping our future
Science clearly tells us that only dramatic action can prevent
the catastrophic impacts of climate chang. With just 10 weeks left
until Copenhagen, further delay is not an option. Gordon Brown has
already recognised the substantial climate investment needed for
developing countries. Now Obama, and other industrialised world
leaders need to step up and do the same
If industrialised countries reduce their emissions by 25-40
percent (below 1990 levels) in the next decade, we may still be
able to pass on a safe climate to our children. But time is running
out.
Take Action
Our activists are risking everything to stop climate change. How far will you go?
Support Us
Without donations from individuals like you - we couldn't afford the equipment necessary to pull off an action like this as world leaders arrive in Pittsburgh for the G20. Be part of a greener future - donate now.