The DPI/NGO Section invites you to an

NGO Briefing

on

Climate Change
In Observance of World Environment Day (5 June)


on
7 June 2007
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

at the
Dag Hammarskjöld Library Auditorium

Background Information:
Panellists will discuss the various aspects of Climate Change, including the recently released 4th assessment report published by the Intergovernmental Panel on this subject (IPCC). The IPCC was originally initiated by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988 to enhance current understandings of “human induced climate change” along with its potential impacts, mitigation, and adaptation. The discussion will also address the launch of a new UNEP publication on the polar and glacier regions---“Global Outlook for Snow and Ice” as well as the recent, unprecedented Security Council session on threats to our environment.

Speakers:
Ms. Joan Eamer, Manager, Polar Programme at UNEP/GRID-Arendal in Norway (via videoconference)
Mr. Alistair Fernie, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom to the United Nations
Dr. Alan Robock, Professor II, Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University

Special Presentation:
Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet:
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
“Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet” is an innovative project that uses the medium of public art to inspire individuals and organizations to take action against global warming. The project is the brainchild of a mother of four, Wendy Abrams, who was concerned about the future of the planet that her children will inherit.

Presented by: Yvonne Acosta, Chief, Academic Partnerships Unit, Academic Initiative Section, Outreach Division, DPI.

A video of compelling short documentaries on "green" subjects, produced by the United Nations will be screened at 10:15 a.m.

Representatives of NGOs are encouraged to participate during the Q&A segment.

The event may be webcast. If so, it will be available at www.un.org/dpi/ngosection.

Next Week’s Briefing:
Next weeks, the DPI/NGO Briefing will be replaced with a full day Communications Workshop. The morning segment, entitled Communicating Environmental Concerns: Message and Methods, will look at effective methods of communication and will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in the Dag Hammarskjöld Library Auditorium. The afternoon segment, entitled Updating Your Interview Skills: Getting Your Message to the Media, will feature two professional media coaches followed by questions from the audience. This segment will be held from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. in the Dag Hammarskjöld Library Auditorium.