Harrison Ford delivers apocalyptic climate change warning
Actor spoke out before Dubai's World Government Summit
February 9, 2019
Updated: February 12, 2019
Latest: World Government Summit: Global leaders gather in Dubai - live updates
Harrison Ford delivered a stark warning about climate change as he prepared to travel to Dubai to discuss ocean conservation.
The Star Wars and Indiana Jones actor, 76, is one of the most high-profile speakers at this year’s World Government Summit, which begins on Sunday. He said that climate change presents "the greatest moral challenge of our time".
Ahead of the three-day event, Ford recorded a video message in which he urged viewers to join him at the summit, which will be attended by ministers, government officials and business leaders from all over the world.
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Ford started his message by asking what it would be like to live in a world that is four degrees warmer.
“Fresh water shortages, higher greenhouse gas emissions, unprecedented fires, worldwide destruction. Is this the world we want?" he asked.
“Our planet, the only home we’ve got, is suffering. This is the bare truth. This is our reality. It’s up to you and me to act, now, to face the greatest moral crisis of our time. To take action. It is time to make a difference. It affects you.”
Ford, whose films have made more money at the box office than any other actor in history, has a long track record of environmental activism.
He is vice chair of the Conservation International charity, has contributed to a series of environmental documentaries and launched public attacks on climate change deniers.
As well as the environment, gender is set to be a major theme at this year’s summit. A gender balance forum will be held, where policies for promoting women will be shared by delegates.
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World Government Summit: Day 1 highlights
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Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, will also take part in discussions with Emirati entrepreneurs.
Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council and Chairperson of the Gender Balance Forum, said organisations should work across borders to achieve greater equality between the sexes.
Other speakers on gender issues will include Jose Angel Gurria, Secretary General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and Mona Al Marri, Vice President of UAE Gender Balance Council.
Another theme will be humanitarianism in the Arab world. Among those sharing their experiences will be a woman who moved from Kuwait to help children in Yemen, a Sudanese man who has helped distribute 40 million meals to the hungry and homeless and someone who established a foundation to shelter and rehabilitate elderly homeless people living on the streets of Egypt.
Saeed Al Eter, chairman of the Dubai Council for the Future Humanitarian Work, said: “Aspiring to improve and develop the right tools of humanitarian work is a noble goal that unites societies and people.
"Humanity doesn’t belong to a race or ethnicity, but is an instinct that individuals and corporations can practice.
“Through harnessing and sharing its available resources with humanitarian institutions and organisations, the UAE aims to provide this sector with new mechanisms that allow philanthropists to fill gaps and address current challenges.
"Thus, the new developed system will contribute to improving charitable work and alleviating people’s suffering around the world."
Updated: February 12, 2019 09:05 AM
