UN's Ban Ki-moon: Do as I say, not as I do

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon: young people should have active role in combating climate change

“Unless we make radical changes in the way we live, by the time the youth of 2008 reach my age, the world may well have become a rather inhospitable place,” he said.

Mr. Ban added that young people will bear the consequences of climate change “thanks to the unfortunate legacy of their elders.”

“In many developing countries, in particular, youth – especially girls and young women – are often responsible for farming, finding water and collecting fuel wood. These tasks will be rendered more difficult – and will take even more time away from education or productive activities – as climate change affects the availability of water, agricultural productivity and the survival of ecosystems,” he said.

Ban Ki-moon: Flying into controversy

The UN secretary-general today called on world leaders for immediate action on climate change - before flying thousands of miles to the US for a music concert and then leaving in the interval to jet to Europe.

Ban Ki-moon has been slammed for planning a round-the-world trip that will generate thousands of tonnes of carbon emissions just days after he leaves the UN meeting in Bali.