'Global Adaptation Institute' Launches in Washington, as Issue of Adaptation to Climate Change Hits Cover of the Economist and Tops the Cancun Agenda

11 a.m., December 1st, National Press Club

'GLOBAL ADAPTATION INSTITUTE' NEWS CONFERENCE WITH:

--Former President of Spain, Jose Maria Aznar;

--Mr. Kenneth Hersh, CEO of NGP Energy Capital Management; and

--former World Bank Group Managing Director, Dr. Juan Jose Daboub

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The new cover story of the Economist is on "Adaptation to climate change" – the central mission of the Global Adaptation Institute – declaring "Global action is not going to stop climate change. The world needs to look harder at how to live with it."

Clearly, we are at a major pivot point in the climate issue.  The new reality is post-Copenhagen, post-Kyoto, post-Cap and Trade (and in the United States, also 'post-election').

To discuss the directional shift of the climate issue and the group's next steps, the new Global Adaptation Institute will hold its inaugural News Conference at the National Press Club at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 1st  

The CEO of the Global Adaptation Institute Dr. Juan Jose Daboub (the former Managing Director of the World Bank), will speak at the Washington news event featuring former President of Spain Jose Maria Aznar and then fly to Cancun to participate in the World Climate Summit and in meetings of the World Economic Forum.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon, host of the Cancun UN climate meeting has publicly embraced this new climate agenda, saying: "Basically, what we're going to discuss is Adaptation."  

The Global Adaptation Institute will present a new, results-oriented perspective on Adaptation to climate change, with a focus on direct aid, and rigorous scientific metrics, to help vulnerable communities address the impact of climate change and other global factors such as urbanization, economic development, and migration.  At the news conference, the "Readiness Matrix" analytical tool will be discussed.

The Global Adaptation Institute has built a team of proven leaders with global experience committed to delivering real results on the urgent issue of adaptation to climate change, instead of waiting for a world political agreement to eventually come to the rescue of populations that are at risk.

Adaptation may require an estimated US$6-9 trillion investment through mid-century, but just as urgent is the development of a framework for how these funds can be effectively used. Given the high stakes, we must offer solutions that are realistic, supported by data-driven analysis and proven metrics, and ready for implementation.

Cover story in the Economist on "adaptation" to global climate change: http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=17572735

WHAT: News Conference with Global Adaptation Institute Leadership to discuss the shift in the climate change issue and the Institute's urgent mission.

WHEN: Wednesday, December 1st, 2010

11:00 AM ET: Remarks by:

The Honorable Jose Maria Aznar, Chairman of the Advisory Council, Global Adaptation Institute and Former President of Spain

Dr. Juan Jose Daboub, CEO of Global Adaptation Institute and former Managing Director of the World Bank Group

Mr. Kenneth A. Hersh, President, Board of Directors, Global Adaptation Institute and CEO of NGP Energy Capital Management

11:20 AM ET: Question and Answer Session

About the Global Adaptation Institute: Global Adaptation Institute is a non-profit environmental organization. We are guided by a vision of building resilience against climate change and other global forces as a key component to sustainable development. Our mission is to enhance the world's understanding of the urgency for adaptation to climate change and other global forces and for the support needed through private and public investments for developing countries. www.globaladaptationinstitute.org

SOURCE Global Adaptation Institute