Posted on December, 10 2011

Hi,

My name is Sam Smith and I lead the WWF Climate and Energy Initiative.

Long story short - my work is to help fight climate change - a threat getting bigger by the day. Why? Because I think that our planet is simply amazing and that  we need to protect it.

Sure it can take some knocks and bruises.  But we're beginning to pull and stretch it further than it has ever been stretched before. And things aren't getting any better - new climate research shows that greenhouse gas emissions are rising more rapidly than predicted.

Climate change is a global threat that makes borders and politics irrelevant - and it needs a united response from the world’s governments. That's why WWF is at COP17 in Durban. Because it is a tipping point in the UN negotiation process on climate change.

And now I can hear you say...

"Wow... Stop !!!  What's with all these processes, frameworks and politics? I just don't get it. Why is it important and what is it going to change?"

I'm sure you've probably heard of COP17before, but like most people, you don't understand it or think that it can make a difference.

I am a firm believer that climate change is real and that what goes on during these negotiations is important. Governments need to take action  to address climate change, and that they need to start doing it in Durban.

If not, the story of worsening natural disasters caused by climate change will fill the pages of history books with a narrative of failed ambitions and a lack of courage from world leaders.

I am here to answer your questions on climate change, COP17 and the the UNFCCC framework. Because as I said, I believe it's important - and I think it should be important to you too.

Just post your questions to me in a comment below, and in a few days, I will come back to you with a video of my responses.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and getting back to you!

Best wishes,

Sam