David Attenborough's Message to COP 24

Environmental & Science Education
STEM
Culture
Society
Climate Change
Sustainability
Edward Hessler


The UN climate change summit (COP 24*), 2-14 December 2018 in Katowice, Poland is certainly one of the most important meetings in the history of the human world although news coverage about climate change in general or this event in particular barely acknowledges climate or the importance of this meeting to the future of the planet. About 200 nations will be meeting with an aim to turn the vision of COP 23, Paris 2015 into action.

Climate scientist Katherine Hayhoe's summary of the U. S. 4th Climate Assessment written November 27 provides a bottom line that applies here:

It's real.
It's us.
Scientist's agree.
The impacts are already here and now.
But by acting now we can still avoid the most serious and even dangerous impacts.
Our future is in our hands.

Act now!  Continue acting in the short- and long-term future! Do something!

As The Guardian reports, David Attenborough was asked by the organizers of the conference to speak for all the world's people.  It is a message from the world's people to the leaders of the world. This is a daunting assignment. Attenborough made a two-minute talk which is linked in The Guardian article by Damian Carrington. It is a stirring presentation and includes many great quotes, e.g.,  Leaders of the world, you must lead. The continuation of civilisations and the natural world upon which we depend is in your hands. 

Carrington's Guardian essay includes some valuable links including one to a UN initiative especially for this conference, the ActNow Chatbot. 

*short for 24th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.