The scientific evidence is now overwhelming: climate change presents very serious global risks, and it demands an urgent global response.
Nicholas SternRead
This [climate change] is potentially so dangerous that we have to act strongly. Do we want to play Russian roulette with two bullets or one?
Interpretation
What this quote means
We must take urgent action against climate change to avoid dire consequences.
Nicholas Stern's quote emphasizes the extreme danger posed by climate change, likening our inaction to playing a deadly game of Russian roulette. This metaphor illustrates the high stakes involved and stresses the importance of decisive action to mitigate potential disasters that could arise from climate change.
Themes
Climate ChangeActionDangerUrgencyEnvironment
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech on environmental policy at a conference.
More from Nicholas Stern
All quotes βThere is still time to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, if we take strong action now.
Nicholas SternRead
The basic scientific conclusions on climate change are very robust and for good reason. The greenhouse effect is simple science: greenhouse gases trap heat, and humans are emitting ever more greenhouse gases.
Nicholas SternRead
Those who say that climate change doesn't exist are being understood as the flat-earthers that they are, as the people who deny the link between smoking and cancer, as the people who denied the link between HIV and AIDS.
Nicholas SternRead
If you look at all the serious scientists in the world, there is no big disagreement on the basics of this... it would be absolute lunacy to act as if climate change is not occurring.
Nicholas SternRead
Do politicians understand just how difficult it could be, just how devastating rises of 4C, 5C or 6C could be? I think, not yet
Nicholas SternRead
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