Summary

“Martin Luther King, Jr. said that ‘injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere’. In the same sense, the increase in CO2 emissions anywhere, is a threat to human civilization everywhere.” These words were spoken by Al Gore, Jr to over 200 key decision makers and leaders attending a September 22, 2008, ADP luncheon featuring Gore and another Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr. Wangari Maathai from Kenya. As part of a panel moderated by Dan Rather, former CBS anchorman, the two Nobel Laureates stressed the importance of reducing carbon emissions by supporting policies that provide market incentives to reduce or avoid tropical deforestation. Gore and Maathai both urged the U.S. Congress and new administration to provide leadership and take quick action to address climate change. Said Maathai, “If the U.S. doesn’t come forward, everyone else will hide behind you. You have a moral responsibility and you can provide leadership. The rest of the world needs to be told that we need to work together.”

An important theme of both Gore and Maathai was the need to knit together a coalition of groups, from environmental, to pro-poor to those interested in peace and security, to support avoided deforestation policies and address the climate crisis.

This theme was echoed by other featured speakers, the Presidents of the Union of Concerned Scientists, World Wildlife Fund and Care. Together the speakers made these important points:

• Climate change poses threats to making a more peaceful state and equitable world. The poor and marginalized in developing countries are already being impacted because climate change is reducing crop yield, reducing access to safe and clean water, increasing health risk, increasing frequency and intensity of conflicts over natural resources, and increasing impact of natural disasters.
• A flexible “basket of approaches” that includes private sector carbon markets, development assistance and improved governance is needed to address the climate problem.
• Solutions should not only reduce deforestation, preserve biodiversity, recognize rights of indigenous peoples and support sustainable development but above all, also truly contribute to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.
• The U.S. and the world need to act now to take advantage of immediate opportunities, such as avoiding deforestation, to reduce emissions. The U.S in particular must provide leadership by enacting legislation that will address this critical issue.