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NGOCSD-NY Climate Change Paper Bonn COP23 Nov 2017
NGOCSD-NY Climate Change Paper Bonn COP23 Nov 2017
Humane effective responses to global warming with an ethical and moral foundation require difficult equitable
resolutions of conflicting national situations generated by different per-capita and total emissions (historical,
current, and future), economic development, and energy requirements. Still, the interests of all are intertwined.
We need to become globally earth-centered, with respect for global human rights, reverence and compassion for
living beings, with a light carbon footprint. We need dedicated, clear, decisive leadership and action to counter
global warming by all governments, NGOs including corporations, and individuals. There is no alternative. Lets
not have future generations, impacted by global warming, say of us, "They knew but did not act."
2. Expand the recognition that unmitigated climate change will produce widespread conflicts over food, water,
and resources, with consequent population displacements and other devastating effects.
3. Move toward the goal of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions at sustainable safe levels. Increase ambitions of
Nationally Determined Contributions. Adopt adequate climate-risk-management mitigation/adaptation strategies
described in the IPCC reports ii, introduce a substantial price on carbon, and greatly increase funding for non-
fossil energy (solar, wind, fusion). Encourage sub-national implementations of the Paris Climate Agreement.
4. Adopt and implement further adequate, equitable, and binding financial and technical commitments by
developed countries to developing countries for mitigation, adaptation, and damage; with effective, gender-
sensitive aid distribution, and joint cooperative responsibility. Priorities are:
Security (peace and avoiding armed conflicts, avoiding mass migrations).
Social Justice, Intergenerational Equity, Environment Preservation. Achieve: Sustainable Development
Goalsv; food, water, energy security; sustainable economic development, gender balanced; a livable world for
our descendants. More support for women, children, small farmers, Island, Coastal, Indigenous peoples. Improve
public health, mental health, education on climate change and environment. Support non-intensive agriculture,
sustainable forestry, conservation, humane animal treatment, ecosystems, and biodiversity; avoid extinctions.
i
Over 100 Representatives of NGOs including some Observer Organizations signed the original 2009 Copenhagen COP15
version of this paper, to which many NGOs contributed. Paper previously updated yearly for COPs16-22 (2010-2016).
ii
IPCC Climate Reports: http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/: I. Science; II. Impacts, Adaptation, Vulnerability; III. Mitigation
iii
Paris Climate Agreement: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Agreement
iv
COP23 is the 2017 Bonn, Germany UNFCCC Climate Conference: http://newsroom.unfccc.int/cop-23-bonn/
v
Sustainable Development Goals: http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/