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Statement of Al Gore, Chairman and Ken Berlin, President and CEO of The Climate Reality Project, on the Outcome of the COP 21 Negotiations

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Le Bourget, France [December 12, 2015] — The Climate Reality Project’s Chairman, Al Gore, and President and CEO, Ken Berlin today expressed support for the climate agreement reached in Paris.

The following is a statement by Al Gore, Chairman of The Climate Reality Project on this outcome:

 “Today, the nations of the world concluded a bold and historic agreement, clearly demonstrating that the global community is speaking with one voice to solve the climate crisis. Years from now, our grandchildren will reflect on humanity’s moral courage to solve the climate crisis and they will look to December 12, 2015, as the day when the community of nations finally made the decision to act.

This universal and ambitious agreement sends a clear signal to governments, businesses, and investors everywhere: the transformation of our global economy from one fueled by dirty energy to one fueled by sustainable economic growth is now firmly and inevitably underway.

The components of this agreement, including a strong review mechanism to enhance existing commitments and a long-term goal to eliminate global warming pollution this century, are essential to unlocking the necessary investments in our future. No agreement is perfect, and this one must be strengthened over time, but groups across every sector of society will now begin to reduce dangerous carbon pollution through the framework of this agreement.

The Paris agreement represents the ceaseless efforts of civil society, governments, business, and investors, all of whom have dedicated themselves to this cause. Most of all, thanks are due to the French government led by President Hollande and Minister Fabius, and the United Nations, led by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Christiana Figueres and her team at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The following is a statement by Ken Berlin, President and CEO of The Climate Reality Project on this outcome:

“We are pleased with the agreement not because our work is done, but because it sets the stage for more important work ahead.  The agreement sends the signal loud and clear that the fossil fuel era is coming to an end and the clean energy economy is just beginning.  

It is so gratifying to see the work of Climate Reality, to educate the world about the urgency of the climate crisis and its solutions, bear fruit.  But now is not the time to pat ourselves on the back, now is the time to roll up our sleeves and start implementing the agreement at all levels of government and ensure we have political leaders who will ensure these national commitments are scaled-up and fulfilled.

The real work begins today, in our headquarters, in our branch offices and soon with our thousands of trained Climate Reality Leaders around the world. We are ready to begin this next phase of work for a better tomorrow.”

Over the past year, The Climate Reality Project has campaigned for a strong agreement in Paris and the agreement met the organization’s key priorities by:

  • Establishing a strong long term goal of greenhouse gas neutrality and pursuing efforts to keep warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
  • Establishing five year cycles where the international community reevaluates efforts to reduce emissions and ensures that countries will submit more ambitious targets.

The agreement also set the stage for further work to resolve issues around financing to help developing and vulnerable countries become more resilient to climate change impacts and reduce their own emissions.

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About The Climate Reality Project

The Climate Reality Project is one of the world’s leading organizations dedicated to mobilizing action around climate change. With a global movement more than 5 million strong and a grassroots network of trained Climate Reality Leader activists, we are spreading the truth about climate change and building widespread popular support for solutions. Former US Vice President and Nobel Laureate Al Gore is the Founder and Chairman of The Climate Reality Project. For more information, visit www.climaterealityproject.org or follow us on Twitter at @ClimateReality.