UN

10 December 2007 -- The United Nations is launching a $3.8 billion appeal to provide urgent support to 25 million people in humanitarian emergencies in 24 countries. Nine of the 10 countries in the 2008 Humanitarian appeal are in Africa. The tenth is the occupied Palestinian Territory.    » read more »

03 December 2007 -- A U.N. representative says more women in India die during pregnancy or childbirth than in any other country in the world. The U.N. official says India must improve its public health system to cut the rate of maternal mortality.

India accounts for 20 percent of the world's maternal deaths, with a woman dying every five minutes.

The U.N.'s Paul Hunt says the rate of maternal deaths is "shocking" for a middle income country, and many times higher than in other countries.    » read more »

20 November 2007 -- The United Nations has sharply reduced its estimate of the size of the world's AIDS epidemic in a new report published Monday. The revised figures particularly reflect new numbers for the virus in India - but also indicate strides in fighting the epidemic worldwide.

The new study by the United Nations organization UNAIDS cuts the number of infections to about 33 million - down from its estimated 39.5 million in 2006.    » read more »

11/15/2007 -- Today's call for a global moratorium on executions by the UN General Assembly's Third Committee is an "historic resolution and major step towards the abolition of the death penalty worldwide", Amnesty International said.

The landmark decision had cross-regional support and was co-sponsored by 87 states from around the world.

The resolution was adopted by 99 countries in favour, 52 against and 33 abstentions. The General Assembly is expected to endorse the decision in a plenary session in December.    » read more »

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 »

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 »