Ban Ki-moon urges students to join fight against climate change

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on students around the globe to join the fight against climate change, warning of the implications of the grave and growing scourge for future generations.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on students around the globe to join the fight against climate change.

“If we do not act, the true cost of our failure will be borne by succeeding generations, starting with yours,” Mr. Ban told young people gathered at Headquarters in New York, as well as those in Pakistan and Canada linked via video-conference, as part of the annual student observance of World Environment Day.

“That would be an unconscionable legacy; one which we must all join hands to avert,” he stated.

Warning that the world cannot continue with “business as usual,” he stressed the need for joint action on a global scale to address climate change.

“There are many policy and technological options available to address the impending crisis, but we need the political will to seize them,” he stated.

World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to raise worldwide awareness of the environment and boost political attention and action.