Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
License needed for work use Register

World Video | Defence | Foreign Affairs | Natural Events | Trade | NZ in World News | NZ National News Video | NZ Regional News | Search

 

UN Lauds Using Technology To Combat Climate Change

Role Of Technology In Combating Climate Change And Cyberthreats Lauded At UN Forum

New York, Nov 12 2008 6:10PM

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has joined with two of Africa’s leaders in lauding the efforts of the United Nations telecommunications agency in promoting the use of information and communication technology (ICT) to tackle the challenges of climate change and cybersecurity.

Reiterating that climate change is “the defining challenge of our era,” Mr. Ban said he was very pleased to learn of the initiatives by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to make ICT climate neutral.

“Your work to cut greenhouse gas emissions, develop standards and use ‘e-environment’ systems can speed up the global shift to a low-carbon economy,” he said in a video message to the ITU Governing Council, whose two-day high-level segment began today in Geneva.

The ITU is also playing an important role in helping developing countries adapt to the impact of climate by helping them obtain emergency telecommunications systems and other resources for disaster relief, the Secretary-General added.

ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Touré pointed out that “redressing the damage already done and mitigating future impact will require concerted efforts on the part of everyone, including the information and communication technology sector.”

He said ITU can play an active and valuable role in helping reduce carbon emissions, for example, through the development of technical standards that lower the power requirements of ICT equipment and services, and through helping pioneer new technologies that help reduce the carbon footprint of other industries, such as the automotive sector.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Blaise Compaoré, President of Burkina Faso, told the gathering that ICTs can open enormous possibilities to mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by using energy-efficient means such as advanced web conferencing and telecommuting.

“The rational use of ICTs in the service of economic, social and environmental development requires the transfer of technologies and the adoption of policies and programmes aimed at helping developing countries, in particular those in Africa, at reducing the digital divide,” he stressed.

During its two-day high-level meeting the ITU will also be launching its Child Online Protection (COP) initiative, which seeks to ensure that the online world remains a safe place to work and play, as part of its efforts to address the challenge of cybersecurity.

According to the ITU, in industrialized countries, as many as 60 per cent of children and teenagers use online chatrooms regularly, and evidence suggests that as many of three-quarters of these may be willing to share personal information in exchange for online goods and services.

In addition, in some countries, as many as one in five children may be targeted by a predator or paedophile each year.

“At ITU, we believe not just in connecting the world, but in connecting the world responsibly,” noted Mr. Touré. “The Internet can be a great facilitator, but in the wrong hands it can also turn into a malevolent influence. Ensuring the online world is a safe and secure place to visit will be essential to promoting worldwide adoption of this powerful resource."

Mr. Ban welcomed the new initiative and urged all States to support it. “With more and more transactions being done online, predators, criminals and terrorists can take advantage. We have to protect against cyberthreats, especially when they target children,” he noted in his message.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame also stressed the need to strengthen cybersecurity and online child protection. “We must draw on the success and experience of existing models to build global awareness and develop practical tools for governments, educators, and parents to minimize risks to young people.

“The youth are natural and enthusiastic adopters of technology, and many routinely surf the Web and participate in online chatrooms, network, and view all types of information and data – some of which are harmful. For this reason, protection of children and young people must be one of the central pillars of any efforts to ensure a safe online environment," he stated.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
World Headlines

 
UN News: Aid Access Is Key Priority

Among the key issues facing diplomats is securing the release of a reported 199 Israeli hostages, seized during the Hamas raid. “History is watching,” says Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths. “This war was started by taking those hostages. Of course, there's a history between Palestinian people and the Israeli people, and I'm not denying any of that. But that act alone lit a fire, which can only be put out with the release of those hostages.” More


Save The Children: Four Earthquakes In a Week Leave Thousands Homeless

Families in western Afghanistan are reeling after a fourth earthquake hit Herat Province, crumbling buildings and forcing people to flee once again, with thousands now living in tents exposed to fierce winds and dust storms. The latest 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit 30 km outside of Herat on Sunday, shattering communities still reeling from strong and shallow aftershocks. More

UN News: Nowhere To Go In Gaza

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said some 1.1M people would be expected to leave northern Gaza and that such a movement would be “impossible” without devastating humanitarian consequences and appeals for the order to be rescinded. The WHO joined the call for Israel to rescind the relocation order, which amounted to a “death sentence” for many. More


Access Now: Telecom Blackout In Gaza An Attack On Human Rights

By October 10, reports indicated that fixed-line internet, mobile data, SMS, telephone, and TV networks are all seriously compromised. With significant and increasing damage to the electrical grid, orders by the Israeli Ministry of Energy to stop supplying electricity and the last remaining power station now out of fuel, many are no longer able to charge devices that are essential to communicate and access information. More

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.