International Conference

Climate Change and Challenges for the Future Generations

June 2nd-3rd 2009 - Athens, Greece

Identity

The impacts of climate change as a challenge for the future generations with particular emphasis on the sensitive and vulnerable population groups of the Mediterranean countries, especially sick children, is the topic of the two-day International Conference that will take place in Athens, at Megaron, the Athens Concert Hall, on June 2nd and 3rd 2009.

The Conference is an initiative of the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and President of the “Foundation for the Child and Family”, Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, and the Chairman of the “Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change“ (Nobel Peace Prize 2007) and Director-General of “The Energy and Resources Institute” (TERI), Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri. It is organised under the patronage of UNESCO and in collaboration with the World Sustainable Development Forum.

The Prime Minister of Greece, Mr. Kostas Karamanlis.

The Conference aims at exchanging opinions concerning the great issue of the impacts of climate change on the Mediterranean countries along with an effort to minimise the consequences of the change of climate, paying particular attention to the consequences to the next generations, specifically to the health of the most sensitive groups, such as the children who suffer from serious or chronic diseases as well as children who live in conditions of poverty.

H.E. the Prime Minister of Greece, Mr. Kostas Karamanlis, will address the opening session of the Conference. Addresses will also be delivered by the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Mr. Dimitrios Sioufas, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Dora Bakoyannis, the Minister of Development, Mr. Kostis Hatzidakis, the Minister of Environment and Public Works, Mr. Giorgos Souflias, the Minister for National Education and Religious Affairs, Mr. Aris Spiliotopoulos, the Minister of Health, Mr. Dimitris Avramopoulos, and the Mayor of Athens, Mr. Nikitas Kaklamanis.

The opening session will be moderated by Mr. Nikos Hatzinikolaou, publisher - journalist.

Piraeus Bank is the major sponsor of the Conference.

The Leader of the Opposition of Greece, Mr. George Papandreou.

Background and Rationale

The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) states that the warming of the climate system is unequivocal. Changes are evident with the increase in the global average air and ocean temperature, melting of snow and ice and rising sea level. It further states the vulnerability of the Mediterranean region to some of these changes. Mediterranean ecosystems may be among the most impacted. Temperature increases greater than about 2°C could result in desert and grassland expansion at the expense of shrub lands, and mixed deciduous forest expansion at the expense of evergreen conifer forest. The resulting sea-level rise is expected to exacerbate inundation, storm surge, erosion and other coastal hazards, thus threatening vital infrastructure, settlements and facilities that support the livelihood of island communities. (IPCC WG2 FAR)

Prof. Christos Zerefos, Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis and Dr. Rajendra Pachauri.

In future climate change could critically undermine efforts for sustainable development. Climate change may add to existing problems of desertification, water scarcity and food production, and may also result in introducing new threats to human health and ecosystems. Thus, there is a need to lay emphasis on adapting to these impacts of climate change by controlling the intensity of desertification, safeguarding integrity of the water cycle and stopping the further loss of wetlands and biodiversity.

In the Mediterranean region, along with adaptation, there is also an urgent need to reduce greenhouse gases emissions. It can be achieved by strengthening the use of renewable energy resources and promoting energy efficient and eco technologies in important sectors of the economy.

This would require identification of measures to both mitigate as well as adapt to the consequences of climate change. In addition, the world urgently requires a global vision based on the principles of equity for long term cooperative action. There is a need for a universal agreement to solve this problem and COP 14 (Fourteen session of Conference of Parties) at Poznan, Poland last year will serve to address some of the concerns including long term cooperative action and the need for further commitments by Annex 1 Parties. Further deliberations on these issues in this year will be needed for achieving a desirable result at COP 15 in Copenhagen.

To be able in line with the international developments, it is essential that actions at regional/national scales are uniformly aligned with the activities to address climate change.

In this context international cooperation holds value and the conference aims to address climate change mitigation and adaptation while discussing the associated opportunities and constraints, as well as the challenges for the future generations. Special attention will be also given to the consequences of climate change on health which will be maximum to the most vulnerable groups such as children suffering from serious and chronic diseases, in addition to poverty.

Themes

The Social Dimension of Climate Change

Impact of Global Climate Crisis on healthcare.
Educating children to respond to the Climate Change challenge.
Preparing children from the early years for a Climate Constrained world.
Role and impact of youth in addressing the challenge of Climate Change.

Strategising Adaptation within international and national context

Identification of key impacts and areas of intervention.
Challenges and solutions.

Low Carbon Development Pathways

Mitigation potential in key sectors.
Use of renewable energy and energy efficiency techniques.

Technology Development and Transfer

Technology for adaptation and mitigation.
Intellectual Property rights and Technology Transfer.

Investment and Financial Needs

Role of private sector.
Role of government organisations-policy support.

Panelists and Participants

Panelists will comprise of experts from different countries working in the filed of climate change. Participants will be from the region and other parts of the world. They will comprise of experts from business sector, research and civil society organisations, and governmental organisations.

During the Press Conference: Prof. Ekaterini Metaxotou, H.E. Mr. Ricardo Lagos, Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, Mr. Koichiro Matsuura, Sir Magdi Yacoub and Prof. Christos Zerefos.