DR. PERSHING: Hello, I’m Jonathan Pershing and
I serve as the U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change.
The adoption of the climate agreement in Paris last year was a momentous achievement—nearly
200 countries came together to act on one of the most serious problems facing our planet.
The Paris Agreement established the first ever ambitious global climate change vision
that applies to all countries, provides a solid foundation for climate action –galvanizes
world-wide momentum towards tackling this shared challenge for the community.
Just in the last month, we’ve seen tremendous progress in our on-going efforts to address
climate change internationally: The Parties to the Montreal Protocol adopted an ambitious
amendment to phase down HFCs – a class of highly potent greenhouse gases.
The International Civil Aviation Organization adopted the first-ever industrywide market-based
measure to set international aviation on a path towards sustainable, carbon-neutral growth.
And right as international climate negotiators are heading to the twenty-second meeting of
the Parties to the Convention in Marrakesh for their annual talks, the Paris Agreement
will officially enter into force.
These achievements underscore the widespread recognition of the urgency of the problem
and are testament to the continued determination of nations - large, small, rich, and poor
– to tackle climate change.
The United States has worked tirelessly alongside the global community to make these achievements
possible.
And having secured these major milestones in the negotiation, now is the time for implementation
and action.
The upcoming meeting in Marrakesh will focus on the implementation of the Paris Agreement,
and ways to drive that ambitious action from everyone.
From countries, from NGOs, from civil society, from the private sector they will all come
together, to share, and push each other to do more.
With the climate changing as rapidly as it is, the stakes are incredibly high, and there
is no opportunity to miss any chance for progress.
Want to learn more about the actions that the United States is taking on climate change?
Be sure to tune into all that is happening at the U.S. Center.
MS. ALLEN: Thanks Dr. Pershing.
I’m Ashley Allen with the U.S. Department of State and this is my colleague, Tom DiLiberto
from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or NOAA.
We will be the Masters of Ceremonies for the U.S. Center, which is held at the UN Framework
Convention on Climate Change twenty-second Conference of the Parties, or COP-22, being
held in Marrakech, Morocco, November 7-18.
The U.S. Center is the public outreach space dedicated to informing audiences around the
world about the actions the United States is taking to fight climate change and its
devastating impacts.
More than 40 events organized by the U.S. government, NGOs, businesses and more will
take place there throughout the two weeks.
MR. DI LIBERTO: So, as Dr. Pershing mentioned, since we last saw you in Paris,
a lot has happened.
We have a global agreement in place to act on climate…
and not only that it will enter into force too.
MS. ALLEN: At this COP many participating countries
will focus on how they will implement their
countries’ nationally determined contributions, in other words, climate action
each country has decided to take.
Since this COP will take place in Morocco, a big focus will be on sustainable agriculture
and renewable energy as well as climate work that is critical to the African continent.
MR. DI LIBERTO: The themes Ashley is talking about will play a big part in the content of the
U.S. Center this year.
And we want you to get involved.
All of our presentations at the U.S. Center will be live-streamed… you will have access
to countless experts, policy makers and leaders on climate change.
Our events are open for Q&A using the hashtag #AskUSCenter on Twitter.
MS. ALLEN: The schedule is available at state.gov/uscenter
and make sure to follow us for updates on Twitter at @US_Center.
MR. DI LIBERTO: We’re excited, and you should be too.
We look forward to hearing from you LIVE in Marrakech, November 7-18!