“Where will we go?” Conversation and exhibition on the humanitarian implications of climate change

Ambassador van Daalen,
Excellencies,
Mr van Lohuizen,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It’s an honour to be with you today for this important discussion on the humanitarian implications of global warming, surrounded by visual reminders of climate change that have been so skilfully captured by Dutch artist Kadir von Lohuizen. I would like to thank Ambassador van Daalen and the Permanent Mission of the Netherlands for making this event and exhibition possible.

Our conversation this evening could not be timelier. On Monday, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a special report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

The truly hair-raising report showed that we are already seeing the terrifying impacts of 1°C of global warming, through extreme weather, rising sea levels, diminishing Arctic sea ice, and more. And we can see that so stunningly portrayed in the images right next to you.

While alarming, the IPCC report also gave us some hope, by showing how a number of climate change impacts could be avoided by limiting global warming to 1.5°C instead of 2°C. For example, by 2100, global sea level rise would be 10 cm lower with global warming of 1.5°C compared with 2°C.

For us here in Geneva, 10 cm might not sound like much. But for millions of people in coastal towns and places, 10cm can determine whether you lose your home, your livelihood, your community.

The IPCC found, however, that for global warming to be limited to 1.5°C, we would need rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society.

The message is pretty clear: we are not doing enough. We are fast heading towards tremendous, irreversible change. Radical actions are needed, and we need to accelerate our collective efforts. We cannot afford for this to be a question of “can we implement the changes required?”. It must be a conversation about “how, and how soon?”.

It’s not impossible to limit global warming to 1.5°C, but we must act now, and we must act together. Every one of us here and all over the world has to act to reduce his or her environmental footprint. You can count on International Geneva to fully contribute in its capacity as host to many organizations and events in the fight against climate change.

Thank you again to the Permanent Mission of the Netherlands for organizing tonight’s conversation so soon after the release of the IPCC’s special report.

The urgency is clear – there’s not a moment to lose.

Thank you all very much.