Awareness, Action, Adaptation
UNU and Climate Change
During the UNU G8 Symposium on innovation and climate change held in July this year, we filmed interviews with some of the world's leading climate science and policy experts including James E. Hansen, Gwyn Prins, David Steven, Alex Evans, Shuzo Nishioka, and Ted Nordhaus.
Watch all videos from the symposium on the UNUChannel.
I am convinced that this challenge, and what we do about it, will define us, our era and, ultimately, our global legacy. It is time for new thinking.
—UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
31 July 2007, New York
Background
Rector Konrad Osterwalder:
All must innovate in this time of climate change
Asahi Shimbun, July 4 2008 (44 KB PDF)
What price an environment bailout?
Japan Times, October 24 2008 (92 KB PDF)
UNU and the Bali Climate Change Conference (144 KB PDF)
The United Nations University, in accordance with its mandate, is primarily engaged in enhancing and sharing knowledge through research and training, specifically in environmental and human security issues, including vulnerability to climate change and alternatives for adaptation.
Through its centers, programmes and publications, UNU has been supporting relevant research on the various causes and effects of global warming, the development of viable solutions and their implementation.
Our work falls into three broad categories:
Research
UNU's research is focused on customizing global knowledge for local solutions. Our joint research programs look at disaster risk reduction and financial instruments for recovery, ecosystem management, water and food security, migration, and community action.
Capacity Building
Adaptation to climate change requires national and local measures and initiatives. UNU capacity building aims to provide the necessary training and skills for professionals and the higher education sector, empowering them to take leadership in such programs and effect local change.
Outreach
UNU's global network of researchers disseminates information and raises awareness of climate change by organizing workshops, conferences, and education programmes, publishing books and websites, and participating in the global dialogue with UN, private and civil society, and government partners.
Events
The Role of Higher Education in Adapting to Climate Change
2009.06.10–12, UNU Headquarters, Tokyo, Japan
Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies: Post-2012 Options
2008.10.28, 4:00 to 5:30 pm at UNU-IAS in Yokohama. Part of the Climate Change Lecture Series on Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies.
International Conference on Environment, Forced Migration and Social Vulnerability
2008.10.09–11, Bonn, Germany. Organised by UNU-EHS and the Environmental Change and Forced Migration Scenarios project.
Selected Publications
UNU Press
Climate Change in Asia: Perspectives on the Future Climate Regime
Edited by Yasuko Kameyama, Agus P. Sari, Moekti H. Soejahmoen and Norichika Kanie
Countries in Asia have particularly high stakes in the intense and growing international debate over the future climate change regime.
UNU Institute for Environment and Human Security
Control, Adapt or Flee: How to Face Environmental Migration?
Fabrice Renaud, Janos J. Bogardi, Olivia Dun and Koko Warner
Part of the UNU-EHS InterSecTions series, this issue explores an issue where "the interlinkage of environment and human security is nowhere else more pronounced."
GEIC
Innovative Climate Change Communication – Team Minus 6%
Chun Knee Tan, Akinori Ogawa and Takashi Matsumura
This working paper is highlighting the importance of effective communication strategies to increase the public awareness on climate change issues. The study was focused basically on the climate change campaign strategies at developed countries, in particularly Japanese “Team Minus 6%” campaign. Successful climate change campaign is attributed to its communication strategies and attractive content. The lesson learned from successful campaign can help to duplicate the experience at other part of the world.
From the UNU G8 Dialogue Series
- David Runnalls on Climate Change and World Trade
- Akiko Domoto and Ahmed Djoghlaf on Climate Change and Biodiversity
- Jean Pierre Contzen on the Renaissance of Nuclear Energy
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Page last modified 2009.07.01.
