Sept 22, 2023 – Ice Emergency: Scientists and Alliance of Concerned Nations Urge UN New York Climate Ambition Summit to “Take 2°C off the Table” to Prevent Catastrophic Impacts from Melting Ice

High-level Event: Friday, September 22, 15:00-16:30 |  | 46 E 70th Street, New York, The Explorers Club

Representatives of a broad coalition of concerned governments, Ambition on Melting Ice (AMI), backed by top international scientists, will deliver an urgent warning about the global impacts of ice and snow melt as the UN Secretary-General convenes a milestone Climate Ambition Summit at United Nations Headquarters on 20 September 2023.

“Without urgent and immediate emissions reductions consistent with the lower Paris Agreement limit of 1.5°C, the damage from ice loss will result in scales of destruction well beyond the limits of feasible adaptation. It will leave no nation untouched”, says Carlos Fuller, a seasoned climate negotiator and Permanent Representative to the United Nations of low-lying nation Belize. This is the message being brought to New York by the member nations of the Ambition on Melting Ice (AMI) High-level Group on Sea-level Rise and Mountain Water
Resources.

The press release includes contacts details for interviews, access to the Event, and further information:

Download Press Release Program Watch Livestream

June 8, 2023 – UNFCCC SB58 Side Event: Loss of Mountain Water Resources and Sea-level Rise: Why 2°C is Too High for 3.5 Billion

Thursday June 8, 11:45-13:00 CEST | Room Kaminzimmer, WCC, Bonn, Germany.

As countries gather in Bonn, Germany to finalize the first evaluation of Paris climate agreement pledges – known as the Global Stocktake – scientists have joined an unusual new grouping of countries urging “2°C is too high” based on the most recent science of the world’s ice.

The 20-nation Ambition on Melting Ice (AMI) group, formed at COP27, includes not just polar and mountain regions (Iceland and Chile co-chair), but Liberia, Vanuatu and Senegal – all highly vulnerable to sea-level rise from melting glaciers and ice sheets. Together with leading scientists, these countries point to fresh research on global impacts from the world’s ice sheets, glaciers, and permafrost. It indicates the original Paris Agreement goal of 2°C is unacceptable. Even the lower 1.5°C limit could be too high. Speakers include negotiators from Chile, Iceland, Belize, Sweden, Bhutan, as well as ICIMOD and ICCI. See full program below.

UNFCCC Press Conference: Wednesday June 7, 12-12:30CEST | Nairobi Room 04, WCC, Bonn, Germany. Press Conference Speakers: Izabella Koziell, Deputy Director, ICIMOD; and Dr. James Kirkham, Antarctic Scientist, Ambition on Melting Ice (AMI). Livestream can be accessed at the following link.

Download Press Release Press Conference Livestream Program Side Event Livestream

If you have any media questions, please contact Irene Quaile (in Bonn), irene@iccinet.org, +49 177 841 2930; Johanna Grabow, johanna@scar.org (in UK); Annie Dare, Annie.Dare@icimod.org (in Kathmandu).

June 1, 2023 – Side Event & Evening Reception at the ATCM, Helsinki

On the evening of June 1st, the Ambition on Melting Ice (AMI) High-level Group on Sea-Level Rise and Mountain Water Resources will be inviting delegates and interested parties to an evening reception where leading scientists and representatives of concerned countries will present the latest information on the global consequences of Antarctic ice loss and the related key issue of the acidification of the Southern Ocean, with major consequences for fisheries and food security.

Download Press Release

Please contact lydie@iccinet.org or amy@iccinet.org with any inquires or questions.