Citation
Leal-Filho, W. (2014), "Acting now: why more climate change mitigation and adaptation is needed", International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, Vol. 6 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCCSM-09-2014-0106
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Acting now: why more climate change mitigation and adaptation is needed
Article Type: Editorial From: International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, Volume 6, Issue 4
By the time this issue of IJCCSM goes to press, the United Nations (UN)-organised “Climate Summit 2014”, held in New York, USA on 23rd September 2014, was closing. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon invited world leaders, from government, finance, business and civil society to “Climate Summit 2014”, to galvanise and catalyze climate action. He has asked these leaders to bring bold announcements and actions to the Summit that will reduce emissions, strengthen climate resilience and mobilise political will for a meaningful legal agreement in 2015. Climate Summit 2014 was meant to provide a unique opportunity for leaders to champion an ambitious vision, anchored in action that will enable a meaningful global agreement in 2015.
The event did not produce any ground-breaking resolutions, but reiterated the need for more commitment and for more action from governments, to cope with the threats posed by climate change and its consequences. We need more action here and now. More action in climate change mitigation is needed, since without a substantia reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases, the problem will become exacerbated. We need more adaptation, urgently, to cope with the current threats to livelihood and poverty, especially in developing countries, which do not possess the means, resources and technologies to protect themselves from the consequences of floods, draughts or other extreme events.
There is still a perceived need for more research projects on climate change, and for the dissemination of research efforts. This journal will continue to play its role in fostering research and exchange of scientific information on climate change, especially on its management. It will also pay a special emphasis to the role of climate change adaptation in developing countries, where there is a greater urgency and where world leaders should be paying a special attention to. Details on the event can be seen at: http://www.un.org/climatechange/summit/
Enjoy your reading.
Walter Leal-Filho