World Environment Day 2014: “Raise your voice, not the sea level”

Five to twelve: Naturefriends call for climate justice – now!

World Environment Day 2014: “Raise your voice, not the sea level”

Vienna, 5 June 2014 / On World Environment Day 2014 dedicated to Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Naturefriends show solidarity with the island nations, which are particularly vulnerable to climate change, and demand climate justice for all affected communities around the world.

The communities in the Small Island States are facing the worst impacts of climate change, from rising sea level to extreme natural disasters[1]. Although their contribution to global warming is little, they are already facing severe threats posed by climate change. “Climate change is an issue of justice. Those who are most affected by climate change are least responsible for causing it. The EU countries and other industrialised states have to take their moral responsibility to cut emissions to achieve the globally agreed 2°C target. Furthermore, they have to provide adequate financial and technical support for the affected communities in the South to cope with negative impacts from climate change,” says Manfred Pils, President of Naturefriends International.

On the occasion of this year's World Environment Day with its focus on Small Island Developing States, Naturefriends call for global solidarity in response to climate change and urge the EU governments to urgently and radically cut emissions and show leadership to bring forward ambitious and just global climate action.

NFI is the international umbrella organisation of the Naturefriends movement, uniting 45 member organisations with approximately 500’000 members. Its activities are focused on sustainable development of the environment and of society. NFI is a member of the “Green 10”, a coalition of the ten leading environmental NGOs active at EU level.

Contact and queries:


Seda Orhan Defranceschi

Naturefriends International, EU Policy Officer


Tel.: +32 474 438055

E-Mail: seda.orhan@nf-int.org | www.nf-int.org

Anita Pinter

Naturefriends International, Press and Public Relations

Tel.: +43 (0)1 89 23 877-24

E-Mail: anita.pinter@nf-int.org| www.nf-int.org

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[1] The Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) of the Intergovernmental Penal on Climate Change (IPCC) - Summary for Policymakers