Final Declaration¹                                                               Thursday, 6 September 9/24/2007

60^th Annual DPI/NGO Conference Declaration
Climate Change Threats - An NGO Framework for Action

We, over 1726 participants representing over 500 Non-Governmental Organisations from more than 62 countries,

·           recognising that we share one planet and its environment, as well as a responsibility to protect future generations,

·           recognising the special vulnerabilities of the indigenous, poor, coastal and rural populations,

·           having met at the 60^th Annual UN Department of Public Information Conference for NGOs at UN Headquarters from 5-7 September, 2007, with representatives of Member States, UN agencies and programs, the scientific community, the private sector, media and civil society, and

·           having reviewed the latest scientific evidence from a wide variety of experts as well as hearing about the experiences of indigenous peoples to better understand climate change, its threats and how NGOs can broaden the base for knowledge and action to reduce those threats; make the following declaration:

1.   We affirm that climate change is mainly anthropogenic and is one of the most serious threats humanity and our environment have ever faced which if not addressed will cause:

a.       catastrophic effects to Earth’s ecosystems, biodiversity and infrastructure;

b.      significantly reduced availability of food, water, energy and transport;

c.       massive migration of populations and the possible destruction of entire cultures and small island nations,

d.      significant damage to our economic, political, cultural, social and spiritual structures,

e.      increased local, national and international violence,

f.         significant psychological and emotional distress to individuals and communities

g.      irreversible harm to the lifestyles of indigenous peoples,

h.       increased spread of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, and

i.         negative impacts on human health and life expectancy.

2.   We commit ourselves over the next 12 months to a Framework for Action that will propose NGO solutions to these threats before they become irreversible:

a.       unify behind a common vision of collaboration – even if we disagree on tactics -- to develop and implement plans for adaptation and mitigation¹ taking into account the full range of consequences;

b.      act as vocal, active partners for change with the UN, governments at all levels, NGOs and other members of our global community;

c.       develop, implement and publicize individual and collaborative action plans for personal, economic and political change.

 ¹ Adaptation implies making lifestyle adjustments. Mitigation implies alleviating the problem.