Climate conference: UNEP side event on graphic information

From the UNEP side event. (From left) UNEP-director Mr Klaus Töpfer, Political Adviser Jo Stein Moen and GRID Arendal Director Svein Tveitdal. Photo: Eva Nordvik

Vital Climate Graphics (GRID-Arendal)

Speaking notes for Mr. Jo Stein Moen, Political Adviser to the Minister og Environment, Norway. The Hague, 21 November 2000

Vital information on the Internet

Awareness of environmental problems is a necessary condition for political action. Therefore actions on education, training and public awareness is among the commitments in the Convention on Climate Change. The best vehicle for raising awareness is readily available information.

When I was born very few knew and worried about the possibility for manmade climate change. I believe the world had been in better shape if we then had had the type of information that is presented by UNEP here today. The message simply demands political action. The material is simple and convincing, and it takes two seconds for any schoolchild, or professional for that matter, to get hold of it through the Internet.

In this respect, the cyberspace now offers opportunities we certainly did not have thirty years ago. That is, of course, if there is access to computers and reliable telecommunications.

In our information-based society there is true abundance of messages, and it can be very difficult to sort them even for those who are supposed to be skilled. Perhaps one of the most fundamental tasks for the UN, and its agencies like UNEP, is to be a sound and well balanced source of information on complex issues such as climate change – a source we can refer our children to without having to be afraid of mental pollution.

UNEP has taken this task seriously for many years, and the product presented today is another example of this.

As Norwegians, we are proud that a part of this effort is done on our soils, and that we can make a contribution through hosting a UN organisation. I sincerely hope that this information will be utilised by a broad audience

Thank you !