U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has told an audience in Jakarta, Indonesia, that climate change is a threat to the entire world.
"When I think about the array of global climate, of the global threats, think about this: terrorism, epidemics, poverty, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. All challenges that know no borders. The reality is that climate change ranks right up there with every single one of them."
Kerry said the science of climate change is compelling the world to act and that the science is absolutely certain.
He stressed that 97 percent of scientists agree that climate change is happening and that it is caused by human activity.
Many scientists say a warmer planet means a rise in sea levels, which could have a dangerous impact on island nations like Indonesia.
Kerry arrived in Indonesia from China where he talked about global warming and other matters with President Xi Jinping.
The two issued a joint statement recognizing the need for what they call urgent action to fight climate change and to work together to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Many scientists believe burning fossil fuels in cars and factories is a major cause of global warming. The United States and China are the world's two biggest polluters.
Indonesia is the last stop on Kerry's six-day Asian tour, which, along with China, included a stop in Seoul.
"When I think about the array of global climate, of the global threats, think about this: terrorism, epidemics, poverty, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. All challenges that know no borders. The reality is that climate change ranks right up there with every single one of them."
Kerry said the science of climate change is compelling the world to act and that the science is absolutely certain.
He stressed that 97 percent of scientists agree that climate change is happening and that it is caused by human activity.
Many scientists say a warmer planet means a rise in sea levels, which could have a dangerous impact on island nations like Indonesia.
Kerry arrived in Indonesia from China where he talked about global warming and other matters with President Xi Jinping.
The two issued a joint statement recognizing the need for what they call urgent action to fight climate change and to work together to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Many scientists believe burning fossil fuels in cars and factories is a major cause of global warming. The United States and China are the world's two biggest polluters.
Indonesia is the last stop on Kerry's six-day Asian tour, which, along with China, included a stop in Seoul.