On the third day of Climate Week for Latin America and the Caribbean in the capital of Bahia, this Wednesday (21), at Salvador Hall, national and international authorities highlighted the importance of a joint effort by civil society to meet environmental preservation goals. The day's program was opened by the UN Senior Director of Policy and Coordination of Climate Change Programs, Martin Frick, with the presence of Mayor ACM Neto and the Minister of the Environment, Ricardo Salles.
“Brazil needs to play a regional and global role in combating climate change, beyond political and ideological issues.” It was with this cry that the mayor of Salvador, ACM Neto, officially opened the Latin American and Caribbean Climate Week.
The mayor also highlighted that what is at stake is the fate of the planet and the survival of the human species. “In the last five years, we have had record temperatures. Climate change is a phenomenon that devastates economies, cities and people. Every effort must be made to ensure that by 2100 we do not exceed the 1.5° limit proposed by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change).
The Minister of the Environment, Ricardo Salles, adopted a thoughtful speech and stated that the federal government is aligning its policy to combat climate change to take advantage of development opportunities. “This meeting consolidates the concern with the theme. In addition to the risks, climate change also brings opportunities for economic development that must be seized”, he highlighted.
UNFCCC Senior Director Martin Frick stressed that the foundations of the Paris Agreement are national commitments. “What we have today is no longer enough. I have been working on this issue for years and what we predicted 10 years ago for the 20150 scenario is happening now. We need extreme changes to achieve the goals.”
Frick spoke about the “paternity” of the COP on Climate and Biodiversity. “These conventions were born in this country, starting with Rio 92. We are children of Brazil and we are proud of that”, he celebrated, at the same time announcing that, of the five thousand registered for the conference, there was gender equality among the participants. “We are 2.5 thousand men and 2.5 thousand women participating in this event.
Martin Flick also took the opportunity to thank the capital of Bahia for welcoming Climate Week. “72 nations are gathered here discussing actions to preserve the planet. I can only acknowledge the federal government and the City Hall for organizing this grand event that is truly regional. Thank you for welcoming us to this wonderful city.”
Pact for the Amazon
Regarding the situation in the Amazon, the mayor advocated a pact between all civil society authorities to preserve the region. “I am absolutely committed to the environmental agenda. We have a biodiversity in the Amazon that is strategic, and I believe that Brazil should conduct everything based on dialogue, but the core of the issue is the Amazon, which is under our protection and care. It is the lungs of the world and we cannot disregard its importance in maintaining the planet’s climate balance,” he stated.
CEBDS at Climate Week
The Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS) participates in the Latin American and Caribbean Climate Week with a series of events highlighting the role of the business sector in mitigation and adaptation initiatives to climate change.
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Photo credits: G1
