Climate change: Brown says we face "momentous choice"
Gordon Brown's tough words on climate change to the MEF are a timely warning to rich nations ahead of the crucial Copenhagen summit in December
Speaking to the Major Economies Forum (MEF) in London, Gordon Brown warned delegates, from 17 of the world's biggest greenhouse gas-emitting countries, that there was "no plan B" for climate change.
He said negotiators were not reaching agreement quickly enough and that it was a "profound moment" for the world involving "momentous choice".
He also noted the costs of failing to tackle the issue would be greater than the impact of both world wars and the Great Depression combined.
Edge of catastrophe
Ashok Sinha, director of Stop Climate Chaos (a coalition of which CAFOD is a member) says: "Gordon Brown was right to state that the natural world is on the edge of catastrophe and it is the leaders of the rich world who have taken us to the precipice.
"The world faces a future of mass flooding, devastating storms, colossal infrastructure damage, failed rains, failed food crops, resource conflict and millions upon millions of climate refugees.
"World leaders must remember that the worst of these impacts will be experienced by the developing world first and with unparalleled severity.
"The rich nations attending the MEF must now act to commit at least $160bn per year towards poor country adaptation and low carbon development.
"They must also immediately initiate emissions cuts rising to more than 40% by 2020 [compared to 1990 levels] in order to prevent global warming breaching the critical two degree threshold.
"Now is the time for rich countries to demonstrate their commitment to a binding, ambitious and just deal at Copenhagen."
The UK's largest group of people dedicated to action on climate change, the Stop Climate Chaos coalition, has a combined supporter base of more than 11 million people which spans more than 100 organisations, from environment and development charities to unions, faith, community and women's groups.
Ahead of the crucial UN climate summit in Copenhagen The Wave, the UK's biggest ever demonstration in support of action on climate change, is being organised by Stop Climate Chaos on Saturday December 5, 2009.
Media contact: Sarah Jenkinson 07766 682624
