Climate Sense

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] 17

Statement by Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Prime Minister, Denmark

The World Meteorological Organization has chosen to publish this book at a crucial hour. Once again

we are presented with clear and unambiguous evidence of the severity of climate change. The scientific

community is playing a crucial role in keeping the facts on the table, both in terms of identifying the

problems and pointing to the solutions. The more we are confronted with those facts the greater is the

probability that we will conclude an ambitious agreement in Copenhagen, in December this year.

Climate change affects our way of life and all the environments around the world. This book contributes

to promoting the application of climate information and predictions to societal problems. It explores how to

enable adaptation to climate variability and change in areas such as agriculture and food security, water, health,

energy and wildlife. All these aspects are important and must be dealt with on international, regional, national,

municipal and local levels.

COP15 in Copenhagen may be one of the most important meetings of this new millennium – a meeting

where we cannot afford to fail. I expect the world to deliver particularly on three elements. First of all we have to

reverse the trend of CO

emissions; secondly we have to agree on a pathway towards achieving our targets; and

thirdly we have to set in motion the policies and measures to sustain this process.

It is my sincere hope that in 10-15 years, when we look back at 2009, we will see it as the year where world

leaders finally stopped ignoring the strong evidence evinced by the scientific community. The year where we

realized the potential of low-carbon transition. The year where we made the necessary decisions. We still need

science to stay engaged, and we will draw upon the scientific community’s advice in the search for solutions

compatible with political and economic realities. The world must find a way – and I remain confident that we

will find it.

Lars Løkke Rasmussen

Prime Minister, Denmark