Newsroom

Climate change: beyond fear and into courage

1st September 2023

venv_a_2225407_ilg0001

The Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) consistently monitors developments around climate change.

QUNO approaches climate change as a peace and justice concern, and is involved in international climate negotiations, the Human Rights Council, and is an accredited observer of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Lindsey Fielder Cook, QUNO’s Geneva-based Representative at the United Nations, heads its Human Impacts of Climate Change programme.

Fielder Cook recently published a leading article in the global magazine ‘Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development’.

Her article, ‘The Latest IPCC Synthesis Report: What We Learned About Climate Science, and What We Learned About Ourselves’, highlights the transformative climate actions already available.

It also talks about how negative dynamics of power, money, fear and anger are suppressing urgent international and national action needed to secure a sustainable and liveable future for all. 

“Our youth often wisely carry a banner ‘system change, not climate change’. The IPCC gives us a roadmap for urgent, feasible, and equitable near-term options available at scale to address climate change and improve human well-being and planetary health knowledge,” writes Fielder Cook.

“Sufficient political will is essential. So is honesty with our citizens about what is happening, and why. Let us move beyond fear and into courage, and leave a legacy for our children that we acted when we knew.”

The full article is accessible at this link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00139157.2023.2225407 and the author's original version is attached. 

Download
Lindsey Fielder Cook - Environment final

Explore more

Perseverance and Hope During Challenging Times 

Perseverance and Hope During Challenging Times 

On 28 January 2026, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres wrote to all UN member states to warn that the UN is facing  "imminent financial collapse". While it is not unusual for the Secretary-General to raise alarm about...

A Dialogue – but with fewer words: Civil Society at the UN

A Dialogue – but with fewer words: Civil Society at the UN

The third annual CSO-UN Dialogue on Peacebuilding, held in December of 2025 in Geneva, brought together civil society actors, UN officials, and member states to strengthen partnerships amid rising geopolitical tensions. The dialogue aimed to connect local...

QUNO Geneva Welcomes Two New Programme Representatives

QUNO Geneva Welcomes Two New Programme Representatives

We are delighted to welcome two new colleagues to QUNO Geneva, strengthening our work across human rights, peace, and disarmament.Lucy Richardson joined QUNO as Human Rights and Refugees Representative in January 2026, working to strengthen the promotion and...

Former Programme Assistant bears witness in the Occupied West Bank

Former Programme Assistant bears witness in the Occupied West Bank

Former Programme Assistant Ailih Weeldreyer, now a National Organizer with the World Student Christian Federation – US, reflected with QUNO-New York about her experience accompanying a group of students on a solidarity pilgrimage through the Occupied Palestinian West...

Myanmar “sham elections”: QUNO hosts Quaker House briefing

Myanmar “sham elections”: QUNO hosts Quaker House briefing

On 2 December, the Quaker UN Office hosted diplomats at Quaker House for a private briefing in advance of the elections in Myanmar that began on 28 December 2025. QUNO Director, Sarah Clarke, opened the meeting, noting that “the world will be watching carefully to see...