Promoting Effective and Immediate International Action Impacting Energy Policy and Climate Change
Currently humanity is at a critical stage in its efforts to combat climate change for which human beings are largely responsible. The burning of fossil fuels (primarily coal, petroleum, and natural gas), which releases greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, is the primary cause, together with deforestation. The expected repercussions of climate change - including rising sea waters, more frequent and intense storms, the extinction of species, worsening droughts and crop failures - will affect every nation on earth. Expanded use of sustainable energy sources and increased energy efficiency are essential to reducing carbon emissions and thereby mitigate climate change.
By the end of 2005 the UN's environmental program comprised 140 projects budgeted at $167 million. The UN Foundation (UNF) and the UN Fund for International Partnership (UNFIP) focus on sustainable energy and climate change as a thematic priority.
The UNF/UNFIP Sustainable Energy and Climate Change Program strategy (1998-2005) was originally developed in consultation with UN colleagues and outside experts and guided by the Secretary-General's Millennium Report. This stated that "addressing the challenge of climate change is one of the most important tasks of the twenty-first century" and called for promotion of renewable energy and improved energy efficiency to address this important challenge. The goal of the program's ongoing strategy is to advance sustainable development and climate change mitigation through the promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency markets.
Links:
• http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/energy/
• http://www.energycommission.org/
• http://www.energy.gov/about/nationalenergypolicy.htm
• http://news.yahoo.com/fc/US/Energy_Policy
• http://www.wri.org/climate
