Panel Discussion on the Human Rights of Older Persons in the Context of Climate Change
Statement by the Delegation of the United States of America
UN Human Rights Council – 47th Session
Geneva, June 30, 2021
As Delivered by Phillip Riblett
The United States agrees that climate change disproportionately affects the lives of older persons. The United States, in coordination with other countries, has done substantial research to assess the risks posed by climate change to the elderly, which is contained in the Fourth U.S. National Climate Assessment. Enhancing our understanding of risks, especially health risks, that climate change poses to older persons can help us advance appropriate climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
The Biden Administration has mobilized a whole-of-government approach, including national, state, local, territorial, and tribal levels, to help those hit hardest by climate change and to create a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous future.
The United States is committed to working with other countries and partners to put the world on a sustainable climate pathway. The United States will also move quickly to help build global resilience against the impacts of climate change.
I would like to take this opportunity to additionally affirm that we strongly support Japan’s continued efforts to be transparent with the international community about the Fukushima treated water situation. The United States is confident that the Government of Japan weighed all available options and considered all appropriate international guidelines. Japan appears to have adopted an approach in accordance with globally accepted nuclear safety standards.