Khaleej Times

Harrison Ford issues a passionate climate warning

- Angel Tesorero angel@khaleejtim­es.com

dubai — Hollywood legend Harrison Ford, popularly known as Hans Solo in the Star Wars epic saga, is coming to Dubai to attend the World Government Summit (WGS) and convey a very important message: “Climate action now!”

While his Star Wars character helped defeat the evil galactic empire by forging alliances with various forces, Ford, 76, is now urging government officials and business leaders from all over the world to join him in the fight against climate change, which he called as the “greatest moral crisis of our time”.

In a recorded video message, Ford raised a question: “What does living in a four-degreeswar­mer world look like?” Then he cited: 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.”

Urgency was at the core of Ford’s message. He did not talk about “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away”, but he called people into action. “It is up to you and me to act now; to face the greatest moral crisis of our time.”

He emphasised: “To take action, it is time to make a difference. It affects you. Climate action now! Join us and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmen­t at the World Government Summit.”

Our planet — the only home we’ve got — is suffering. This is the bare truth. This is our reality.”

Harrison Ford, Hollywood celebrity

Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environmen­t, earlier said that one of the highlights of the WGS is the Climate Change Forum, which will bring together decision-makers, internatio­nal organisati­ons, senior government officials, business and thought leaders, and media personalit­ies from across the world and the region to assess the human and environmen­tal impact of climate change and identify creative solutions to combat it; as well as discuss ways of ensuring compliance with the Paris Climate Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainabl­e Developmen­t.

Al Zeyoudi added that discussing critical issues that face humanity reflects the UAE’s stance on the importance of a collective dialogue, as well as supporting internatio­nal efforts to tackle climate change.

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