At the "Joint Symposium for Climate Change", in the margins of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP24) in Katowice, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa addressed members of science and faith communities. "We need you to help spread the word. To help humanity understand the importance of the choice between action and inaction—and the consequences", she said.

Climate change presents the single biggest threat to sustainable development everywhere and its widespread, unprecedented impacts disproportionately burden the poorest and most vulnerable. 

Urgent action to halt climate change and deal with its impacts is integral to the successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).