世界环境日致辞

世界环境日致辞
席卷全球的经济和金融危机实实在在地敲响了醒世警钟，它告诫人们必须改进旧的增长模式，要过渡到更绿色和更清洁发展的新时代。

今年世界环境日的主题是“你的地球需要你”，它是要激励我们所有人尽自己的一分力。

地球面临气候变化的严重威胁。

尽管所有国家都会受害，但是穷人将首当其冲。

不过我们还有机会改变进程。

12月将在哥本哈根举行极其重要的气候变化问题谈判。

我们必须共同敦促各国政府达成协议，缔结新的气候问题协定。

世界还需要“绿色新政”，着重对可再生能源、有利生态的基础设施和能源效率作出投资。

这不仅会创造工作机会，促进复苏，而且有助于处理全球变暖问题。

如果我们把巨额新经济刺激一揽子方案的一部分投资到绿色经济中，我们就能把今天的危机变成明天的可持续增长。

此外，向低碳社会过渡的国家不仅将获得极大的环境收益；它们还可以与其他国家分享其新技术。

但是我们地球需要的不仅仅是政府和公司采取行动；它还需要我们每一个人采取行动。

虽然个人的决定对全球性威胁和趋势而言也许似乎微不足道，如果数十亿人民为共同目的携手共进，我们就能使世界大为改观。

今天是世界环境日，为了把我们地球变得更绿，更清洁，我鼓励各国人民采取各种具体步骤。

关灯，使用公共交通，回收利用，种树，清扫当地公园，让公司对其环境做法负责，并敦促贵国政府代表在哥本哈根达成协议。

Secretary-General's message on World Environment Day
The economic and financial turmoil sweeping the globe is a true wake-up call, sounding an alarm about the need to improve upon old patterns of growth and make a transition a new era of greener, cleaner development. The theme of this year's World Environment Day –“Your planet needs you” – is meant to inspire all of us to do our part.
The Earth faces the grave threat of climate change. While all countries will suffer, the poor will bear the brunt of the impact. But we also have an opportunity to change course. Crucial climate change talks will take place in Copenhagen in December. Together, we must press governments to “Seal the Deal” for a ne w climate agreement.
The world also needs a “Green New Deal” focused on investing in renewable sources of energy, eco-friendly infrastructure and energy efficiency. This will not only create jobs and spur
recovery but also help tackle global warming. If we invest even part of the substantial new economic stimulus packages in the green economy, we can turn today's crisis into tomorrow's sustainable growth. Moreover, countries that make the transition to a low-carbon society will reap more than significant environmental benefits; they will be well-placed to share their new technology with others.
But our planet needs more than just action by governments and corporations; it needs each of us. Although individual decisions may seem small in the face of global threats and trends, when billions of people join forces in common purpose we can make a tremendous difference.
On this World Environment Day, I encourage all people to take concrete steps toward making the planet greener and cleaner. Switch off the lights. Take public transportation. Recycle. Plant a tree. Clean up your local park. Hold corporations responsible for their environmental practices. And urge your government representatives to Seal the Deal in Copenhagen. Secretary-General's message on World No Tobacco Day
Every year, some 5.4 million people die from illnesses caused by tobacco consumption – 80 per cent of them in low- and middle-income countries. Up to half of all smokers die from a tobacco-related disease, and science has shown that second-hand smoke harms everyone who is exposed to it. Left unchecked, tobacco-related deaths will rise to more than 8 million by 2030.
Lung cancer, heart disease and other tobacco-related illnesses are part of a broader epidemic of non-communicable diseases, which include strokes, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. These diseases have become the world's leading cause of mortality. Sixty per cent of all deaths globally are caused by them, with women being the hardest hit.
That we continue to allow such diseases to be caused by tobacco consumption is a global tragedy. It also comes at vast expense. Economies are harmed by the costs of treating of tobacco-caused diseases and by decreased productivity due to illness and premature death, while families whose members die or become ill due to tobacco use endure an unnecessary financial burden. On this World No Tobacco Day, I urge governments everywhere to address this needless threat to public health.
（学习的目的是增长知识，提高能力，相信一分耕耘一分收获，努力就一定可以获得应有的回报）。