Transcript: U.N. Leader Talks Global Warming

BALI, Indonesia, Dec. 13, 2007— -- U.N. Secretary-General Moon sat down with ABC News' Margaret Conley to discuss climate change.

Margaret Conley (MC): Why is the issue of climate change so important?

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (BKM): This is an issue affecting the whole humanity. The world is changing much faster than we have thought. The science has made it quite clear. I have been trying my best to raise the awareness of this very significantly serious issue among the international community. I am encouraged by a very positive mood in this conference. Everybody now feels the seriousness and urgency of this issue. We must take action now.

MC: How serious do you anticipate the effects of climate change to be?

BKM: As you know I have visited myself Antarctica, Andes and the Amazon River. I have seen myself, I was advised by the scientists and it was much more serious. It was very alarming. I have seen myself that the Earth is changing. The glaciers are melting. We have seen much more natural disasters recently. The scientists have made it very clear in unequivocal terms.

MC: Will success here in Bali depend on agreement of text specific guidelines, or cutting greenhouse gas emissions? As you know there is a divide between the UN & EU and the US, Canada and Japan.

BKM: Our goal is to launch the negotiation, a time-bound negotiation for a global agreement by 2009, with a clear agenda for the present and future. We are going to adopt the Bali roadmap, which will be the basis of ongoing negotiations next year and the year after until the end of 2009, that will be regarded as a success.

MC: But it won't need the specifics then to adopt?

BKM: I hope the member states will adopt the decision of the COP13 here in Bali in the form of a Bali roadmap -- that will contain the many important elements, but this is the beginning of the negotiation. Real serious beginning including the quantifiable targets will begin next year.

MC: Today Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer put a clock on tomorrow at 12noon. Do you anticipate success tomorrow?

BKM: I hope so and I'm reasonably convinced that we'll be able to make success from this Bali meeting. Everybody is seriously engaged in this negotiation. Everybody now understands the seriousness. I have urged that the member states should overcome all these national geographical boundaries. They must work for the interests and future of a whole humankind.

MC: In your challenging role as world negotiator, what levers are you able to use to get these nearly 190 countries to agree?

BKM: As Secretary General of the United Nations, I have been able to raise the awareness of the international community on the significance and urgency of this issue through the high level meeting which I convened in September. I was encouraged by such a strong support of international community at the leaders' level. The whole scientists, they have spoken (in) unequivocal terms that (the) world is changing. They have recommended that we have to take action immediately. The cost of inaction will be far far greater than the cost of action, therefore I urge again that the international community must take concerted effort.

MC: What happens if they don't comply?

BKM: We work for the success. I do not work for the failure. I am convinced that the international community, particularly negotiators and political leaders, will be wise enough, will feel the historical responsibilities for the future of our planet earth and for the future of our succeeding generations. I am convinced that as far as these historical responsibilities of our generation is concerned, we have a full consensus and understandings.

MC: You mentioned the other day that you met with the US delegation when you were here. How did that go? What did you say to them?

BKM: United States, I understand they have (their) own challenge. It is not only the United States, every and each country they have national challenges. I would welcome and I would appreciate and all these challenges and initiatives they will take in addressing their problems. But all the initiatives, measures should be fed and incorporated into the United Nations negotiating process, that is the UNFCCC. We have discussed in depth what the challenges of the United States will be and I have urged the United States as the most important economic power and political leader -- the United States should take the lead. This message has been delivered yesterday clear and loudly in my speech that considering the historical responsibilities of the industrialized countries, industrialized countries should take the lead.

MC: What do you say to skeptics who don't believe in global warming -- like the ones that were protesting here this morning?

BKM: There is no more skeptics about this changing world, about global warming effect. It is amazing that 2,500 scientists of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have spoken out, clear and loud, in one voice, unequivocal terms. Therefore science has made it quite clear. There is no such doubt and skepticism. Scientists are telling me even more alarming evidences are coming. We will have to address this issue.

MC: Do you feel any personal responsibility in your role as UN Secretary General?

BKM: I feel both personal and official responsibility as Secretary General of the United Nations. I'm convinced particularly after my visit to Antarctica, and the Amazon River, and the Andes area that the world is changing and this is my highest commitment to work for humanity.

MC: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

BKM: I'd like to make it again clear and urge to the political leaders of the international community that we have capacity to address this issue. We must take action now. We have technology, we have financing, the scientists have made it quite clear. What is largely lacking is the political will. How this political will will be demonstrated, that will make the whole process different. Therefore, I urge again to the international communities at the leaders level to exercise and consolidate their leadership.

To listen to the interview, click here.