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When world leaders hit their stack of newspapers today they'll find an open letter telling them that we need a breakthrough at the Copenhagen climate summit, not a breakdown.
The ads ran in both the Financial Times and the International Herald Tribune which have a combined circulation of more that 600,000.
That's a lot of open letters!
The text reads:
Copenhagen: we need a breakthrough, not a breakdown
This week, Copenhagen plays host to the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference. The science and the data are unequivocal: we're on course for a worst case scenario. Urgent Action is imperative for survival.
There will be lots of talk, but will you produce a legally binding agreement to combat climate change on a global scale?
A half century ago, world leaders answered the call of history. They chose action over inertia. They rebuilt destroyed cities and established new institutions. Their actions were imperfect but they did their duty.
What will your legacy be? Will future generations speak of your leadership and courage, or your failure? Isn't now the time to take decisive action?
The choice is in your hands. The eyes of the world are on you.
Our organizations represent millions of people around the world from all walks of life. On their behalf, we call on you to do the following:
- go to Copenhagen on December 18th personally and show true leadership.
- agree to a fair, ambitious and legally binding agreement.
- ensure that global greenhouse gas emissions peak within the next 8 years as required to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
- commit the financing to help developing countries adapt to climate change, protect their populations and transition to a low-carbon economy.
The time to act is now!
Comments
08 December 09 | Simone Merrett
our planet
I have limited knowledge on the environment... Although i have been 2 many protests and i am also a qualified horticulturist... I dont claim that im more knowledgeable than any1 else out their.. But im pretty sure that this is the only planet that we know of, that supports life...If we cant come 2 an agreement on how 2 look after this spectacular planet, then whatever the planet has instore for us, i think is pretty fair... We have sucked her resources dry...We have taken whatever the hell we want out of her... And we expect her not 2 react... Do u think the fossil fuels hidden deep in the earth, are not their for a purpose...From what i can see, it is the blood of the earth that we are draining from her...With no thought given 2 replace it...I am 33yrs old and i have never had a car license...just so then no one can force me 2 drive.. I have also decided not 2 have children...By mid century they are estimating that the worlds population will reach the 9 billion mark..That is rediculous.. Their seems 2 b no consideration for other life forms on this planet...They share the same space as us, yet they are frightened of us.. We are also the only lifeform here that actually wants 2 leave...So because of that we think that we have special rights 2 do watever we want 2 her.. In this time, at this moment, i am ashamed to be a human being.. I have dedicated my life here on planet earth 2 help save her... If we all stopped disagreeing, fighting and making money out of this planet, things may start 2 change..Because, technically, what we are doing is a form of theft, or stealing.. The planet gives us life and we suck her dry... What will become of us in the future...