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

From UNU 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)

See also: 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.

The Climate Change Challenge

2008.03.06 — Kemal Derviş delivered the 11th WIDER Annual Lecture at the Marina Congress Center in Helsinki on 6 March 2008.

Selected Publications

UNU Press

Climate Change in AsiaClimate 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, FleeControl, 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."

UNU Traditional Knowledge Initiative

The Anchorage Declaration
Indigenous Peoples' Global Summit on Climate Change, April 2009

A Carbon Guide for Northern Indigenous Australians
January 2009

REDD Guide for Indigenous Peoples
Available in English, Spanish and French, November 2008

A Guide to Emissions Trading, Carbon Financing and Indigenous Peoples
May 2008

Visit the UNU Traditional Knowledge Initiative Publications page for information on forthcoming publications and the Indigenous Perspectives on Climate Change video series.

GEIC

GIEC: Working PaperInnovative 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

G8 Dialogue Series

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Page last modified 2009.11.06.




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