Despite the efforts of the United Nations and many governments, international organizations and civil society movements against climate change, recent data prove that if we don’t intensify our action it will be too late.

The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), at its most recent meeting, stated that there is only a dozen years for global warming to be kept to a maximum of 1.5C, beyond which even half a degree will significantly worsen the risks of drought, floods, extreme heat and poverty for hundreds of millions of people. Urgent and unprecedented changes are needed to reach the target, which is affordable and feasible.

On the eve of the forthcoming COP24, which opens at the beginning of December, we, leaders of the largest global progressive political family, the Socialist International, are launching an appeal to increase multilateral cooperation on this crucial challenge for humankind, and to deploy more intensive action at all levels.

The Socialist International has for years been active in identifying the multi-faceted dimension of the fight against climate change. Through the work of its ‘Commission for a Sustainable World Society’ the SI has also outlined needed policies, such as a global tax on CO2 (and other greenhouse gases). We are committed and active in bringing about a revolution in thinking, policies and lifestyles, to
address these new challenges. Creating a new paradigm in how we act, how we produce, and how we consume. This mind-shift requires the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to become part of our basic education curriculum, professional training and R&D, as well as our policy decisions. It is crucial the SDGs be implemented if we are to fight poverty and illiteracy, secure peace, protect human rights, manage population movements, and guarantee just, sustainable societies for generations to come.

Key to the success of this sea-change is social justice, equality and a healthy, cohesive, participative society which respects the dignity of all. We deplore conservative and populist circles around the world who systematically undermine the efforts to combat climate change. Their motives coincide with the powerful oil and gas industries that vehemently lobby against any regulation that might undercut their profits while protecting the environment. We call on all to oppose conscious efforts to distort scientific facts and minimize the catastrophic risks of global warming.

The Sustainable Development Goals are a cornerstone for a wider Global Social Contract. A Social Contract that can unite our planet’s governments and peoples at a time of heightened discord, through common goals that promote responsible cooperation and regulation. The social impacts of Climate change are associated with a great number of risks, amongst them, financial risks which need to be assessed in future investment.

Social partners, civil society and citizens need to rise to the challenge of social responsibility, integrating the efforts for low carbon societies into their daily lives.

We call on social partners and civil society to unite in our common efforts to implement the SDGs. We are committed to be front runners in the fight for a more humane, sustainable planet!

30 November 2018
www.socialistinternational.org

In Armenian