United Nations

10 November 2007 -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says that after seeing the effect of climate change on Antarctica, he believes the world is "on the verge of a catastrophe."

Mr. Ban flew to a Chilean Air Force base Friday for a briefing with scientists on the world's southernmost continent. He also took an aerial tour of the famous Collins Glaciers, and visited the Antarctic research bases of Uruguay and South Korea, his home country.    » read more »

25 October 2007 -- The International Olympic Committee says Beijing's air pollution could force some outdoor events to be postponed at next year's Olympics in the Chinese capital.

A United Nations report issued Thursday criticized Beijing's progress on cleaning its air, 10 months before the Games begin in August.

An IOC Inspection team said air quality is a leading concern. Team leader Hein Verbruggen said the pollution's impact on elite athletes is of particular concern.    » read more »

17 October 2007 -- The United Nations is marking World Poverty day today. And in Africa, as part of activities lined up to eradicate poverty across the continent, the UN is planning to break a Guinness Book of World Records mark set last year, in which more than 23.5 million people reportedly stood up against poverty in more than 80 countries during a 24 hour period. Sources say Guinness record keepers said they were taken aback by the overwhelming show of support in solidarity with the poor.    » read more »

OSLO, NORWAY and WASHINGTON, D.C. — The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Al Gore and the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a triumph for the planet and its inhabitants, who will increasingly struggle to adjust as the world warms.    » read more »

Efforts on Global Warming Set Stage for Progress

WASHINGTON, DC (October 12, 2007) – News that former Vice President Al Gore and the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize is a fitting recognition of their roles in elevating climate change to one of the world’s greatest areas of concern, according to Frances Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).    » read more »

World Leaders Must Follow Their Example

October 12, 2007 -- Statement of Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director:

"The Sierra Club congratulates Vice President Al Gore and the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for winning this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. Their victory underscores the need for more of our leaders to take a stand and meet the challenge of global warming head-on. The IPCC has shown there is global consensus on the causes and impacts of global warming--Vice President Gore has brought the issue home for millions of people.    » read more »

12 October 2007 -- "Rosalynn and I are pleased to congratulate former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) led by Rajendra Pachauri on receiving the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.

For more than 20 years, Al Gore has tirelessly championed the fight to protect our planet's environment, providing leadership to one of the most pressing issues of our time. The IPCC's wealth of study and research has brought much needed scientific understanding to the threat of global warming.    » read more »

WASHINGTON (October 12, 2007) – The fact that the Nobel peace prize committee gave its annual award to the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore highlights the need for the U.S. government to move quickly to address global warming, according to two IPCC authors affiliated with the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).    » read more »

10/12/2007 -- SALEM, NH-- New Mexico Governor and Democratic Presidential candidate Bill Richardson today issued the following statement congratulating Vice President Al Gore on having been awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize and urging leadership in the fight against global warming:

"Vice President Al Gore has a remarkable record of public service. For over twenty years, he has been dedicated to fighting global warming for our nation and the world. His Nobel Prize is well-deserved.    » read more »

Chicago, IL -- October 12, 2007 -- "By having the courage to challenge the skeptics in Washington and lead on the climate crisis facing our planet, Al Gore has advanced the cause of peace and richly deserves this reward.

His voice and his vision have awakened the conscience of America to the urgency of this threat, and now we must take bold action so that our children inherit a planet that is cleaner, safer, and more peaceful for generations to come," said Barack Obama.

Source: Barack Obama

Oct 12, 2007 -- Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Today, Senator John Edwards released the following statement:

"Congratulations to Al Gore. The Nobel Peace Prize rewards three decades of Vice President Gore's prescient and compelling -- and often lonely -- advocacy for the future of the Earth. His leadership stands in stunning contrast to the failure of the current administration to pursue policies that would reduce the harm of global warming.    » read more »

10/12/2007 -- WASHINGTON D.C. – Sen. John Kerry congratulated Vice President Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for winning the Nobel Peace Prize today.

“This is not only an incredibly well deserved honor for Vice President Gore, it reflects a global awakening to the urgency of taking action on global climate change.

Way back when it wasn't easy, Al Gore began criss-crossing the country and the planet to help bring the science of climate change to people everywhere in a compelling way.    » read more »

October 12, 2007 -- Washington, DC – Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) issued the following statement today congratulating Nobel Peace Prize Winners, former Vice President Al Gore and the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change:    » read more »

11 October 2007 -- A coalition of 60 non-governmental organizations is urging the United Nations to adopt a resolution that calls for a global moratorium on the death penalty. Supporters believe such a resolution has enough support to pass.

In 2003, The World Coalition Against The Death Penalty designated October 10 as the "World Day Against the Death Penalty.

At a news conference in New York Wednesday, the group said more than 90 countries nations have abolished the death penalty for all crimes, 131 have done so in practice and 66 retain it.    » read more »

11 October 2007 -- The United Nations is urging the United States to ensure that American private contractors who commit offenses in Iraq are prosecuted.

The U.N. Assistance Mission to Iraq is making the call in its new report on the human rights situation in that country Thursday. The mission noted several fatal incidents involving private security firms in the period between April and June of this year.

The report calls on the U.S. to establish mechanisms to hold contractors accountable when such incidents do not appear to be justified.    » read more »