European Parliamentarians Welcome Development of the Global Adaptation Index™

WASHINGTON, June 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Global Adaptation Institute's Founding CEO, Dr. Juan Jose Daboub, gave the keynote address during the European Ideas Network (EIN) meeting today in Washington, D.C. Dr. Daboub described the Institute's development of the Global Adaptation Index™ (GaIn™), a tool for decision makers in the private and public sectors to prioritize investments in adaptation to climate change and other global forces.  GaIn™ will be unveiled this fall in the USA, Europe and on several other continents.

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"The index will serve as a navigation chart and as a transparent mechanism for allocation of resources. GaIn™ will become the 'go to' metric for investors seeking returns while helping resolve the effects of climate change on the most vulnerable people in society," stated Dr. Daboub in opening remarks. "The index uses vulnerability and readiness indicators that will encourage policy makers to accelerate implementation of the right public policies in order to save lives and improve livelihoods," he added.

Jaime Mayor Oreja, President of EIN, introduced Dr. Daboub to the Members of the EU Parliament, and described the Global Adaptation Institute as the first and only organization dedicated to promoting pragmatic solutions to adaptation, which addresses the effects of climate change. On behalf of the Parliamentarians he applauded the efforts in producing GaIn™, especially given the participation of European leaders and scientists in the process. "European parliamentarians welcome the Global Adaptation Index™ effort. It is needed. It is urgent. It is important," Oreja concluded.

The Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Institute is Spain's former President, Jose Maria Aznar. U.S. investor Ken Hersh, CEO of NGP Energy Capital Management, LLC, which has provided enormous support to this initiative, including a $10 million grant, is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Institute.

Dr. Daboub emphasized that he is not bringing an "alarmist" message of unsurpassable problems resulting from climate change, urbanization, and economic and population growth. Rather, Dr. Daboub said he is "here to invite European countries to work with the Institute to encourage private sector adaptation solutions, because governments cannot do it alone."

Beyond developing GaIn™, the Institute will incubate and underwrite projects in developing countries that demonstrate how the private sector can be involved in adaptation solutions and will raise the level of awareness about the urgent need to take action.

The Global Adaptation Institute ™ is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c) 3 environmental organization guided by a vision of building resilience against climate change and other global forces as a key component to sustainable development. Visit us at: www.globalai.org

SOURCE Global Adaptation Institute