Explaining why Norway feels an urgent need to act against climate change now, “The ice is going away, and that was the wake-up call for us,” he told host Mary-Charlotte.
It was with this in mind that the Royal Norwegian Embassy will cosponsor “The Arctic Is Melting and the Desert Is Burning: Impacts Globally and Locally,” a luncheon discussion to be held on Wednesday, February 9, 2011, at the Santa Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The Ambassador acknowledged that although fossil fuels created much of Norway’s wealth, we realize that the global economy must decarbonize.” “These issues … are global, and we have to solve them globally,” said Strommen in the radio interview, which can be found at http://santaferadiocafe.org/podcasts/ (navigate to the page for Thursday, February 3, 2011).
In addition to Ambassador Strommen scheduled guests at the luncheon include:
- Dr. Kim Holmen, Research Director, Norwegian Polar Institute, discussing rapid Arctic climate change and its impact on global climate.
- Dr. Gregg Garfin, Institute of the Environment, University of Arizona, addressing the impacts of climate change on the southwestern U.S.
- Douglas Holtz-Eakin, former Chief Economist to President Bush and former Director, Congressional Budget Office, offering market-based approaches to addressing climate change.
In a statement, Ambassador Strommen wrote, “Climate change requires our urgent response — for our own sakes and for the sake of our children. If we act resolutely, we can contain climate change and create stronger and more robust economies.”