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Statement by Timothy E. Wirth on yesterday's SEC guidance to investors on climate risk

Washington D.C. (January 28, 2010) — 

“The Securities and Exchange Commission’s announcement that publicly traded companies should disclose to investors the risks they face from climate change is both important and overdue. In the absence of previous guidance, these risks -- which include both the physical impacts of climate change and the effects of new domestic and international greenhouse gas emission policies -- were not being properly communicated by companies to their shareholders.

“Investors have the right to know how companies they have a stake in are preparing to face the risks from climate change and seize the opportunities of a carbon-constrained world. We applaud the SEC for this important action, as well as the Investor Network on Climate Risk -- a coalition of institutional investors led by Ceres -- for its efforts over many years to bring about this result.”

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Timothy E. Wirth

Timothy E. Wirth

President, United Nations Foundation and Better World Fund

Timothy Wirth is the President of the United Nations Foundation and the Better World Fund. Both organizations were founded in 1998 through a major financial commitment from Ted Turner to support and strengthen the work of the United Nations.

Melinda Kimble

Melinda L. Kimble

Senior Vice President

Melinda Kimble is a Senior Vice President, overseeing our International Bioenergy Initiative. She joined the UN Foundation in May 2000.

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