6 Billion Others Launched
in Copenhague: Portraits of Lives Impacted by Climate
Change
11 December 2009, Copenhagen /
Denmark Millions of lives around the world are already
impacted by climate change. Vulnerable communities in
some of the least developed corners of the earth, are
adapting to natural disaster, draught, floods and rapidly
shrinking resources.
"6 Billion Others", a
film by renowned film director, Yann Arthus-Bertrand,
depicts the lives of individuals and communities on the
frontline of the climate challenge.
The film is being launched in Copenhagen
this week, in cooperation with a number of UN agencies,
including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The images are powerful, moving
and in some cases shocking.
We hear the voices of those affected
by the inadequate climate action of the past and the ones
who are likely to suffer if world leaders fail to watch,
listen and above all act.
"6 Billion Others" presents
the difficult and sometimes tragic effects of climate
change, as internationally renowned aerial photographer
Yann Arthus-Bertrand and his team travelled the world
to interview and film more than 600 people in 17 countries.
For the film interviews, a list
of specific questions on climate, validated by the Intergovernmental
Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) were adapted according
to the circumstances.
One testimony from a fisher in
Bangladesh, as an example of the many testimonies collected,
says:
"I fear the sea. The sea is
my only fear. Where will we go? The water is coming closer
every day, the country is worsening day by day. I have
never seen this before."
This project corroborated by science,
intends to emphasize the need for global awareness.
Yann Arthus-Bertrand, said, "Following
my recent appointment as Goodwill Ambassador for the United
Nations Environment Program (UNEP), officials of the Intergovernmental
Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) urged us to join forces
in raising awareness of the problems of climate disturbance
among the largest possible audience."
"6 Billion Others - Climate
Voices" was officially launched in Copenhagen during
the current climate change negotiations to present the
collective voice of people whose lives have already been
devastated by climate change impacts and those who are
forced to live with the impacts.
Notes to Editors
Produced by GoodPlanet.org, supported
by the French Ministry of Ecology, ADEME (French Environment
and Energy Management Agency) and UNEP, WMO,IPCC, ISDR
and UN-Habitat, within the spirit of a united UN system
response to climate change.
Screenings in Copenhagen:
Danish Film Institut / Cinematek
8 -18 December
10h00 to 13h00 - 6 Billion Others screenings every day
for schools
CO2 Offsets
The 62 tonnes of CO2 emitted during
the travels in the 17 countries have been offset by purchasing
three biodigesters in India through 'Action Carbone' (a
GoodPlanet's project). A biodigester is a large tank of
animal excreta which produces biogas via fermentation.
The effluents mixed with straw and worms become vermicompost
in place of artificial fertilizers. The installation of
these biogas tanks provides a real solution for rural
Indian families.
Nick Nuttall, UNEP Spokesperson and Head of Media
Do UNFCCC
