It's been said that money talks, and I hope that's especially true when it comes to this story. According to this PR Newswire release, the largest ever group of global investors has called for strong action from both the United States and international policy makers to reach a "strong and binding international treaty that will reduce pollution and catalyze massive global investments in low-carbon technologies."The policy statement was signed by 181 investors who are said to collectively manage in excess of (deep breath) $13 trillion in assets. I have a little less than that in the bank at this current juncture, so my voice won't be heard quite as loudly, therefore I'm happy to let these investors speak up. This collection of moneyed individuals is the largest so far when it comes to the issue of climate change.The statement came out of the International Investor Forum on Climate Change, an all-day event hosted by Thomas P. DiNapoli, New York State Comptroller, with a keynote speech by British economist Lord Nicholas Stern. DiNapoli, who heads the $116.5 billion New York State Common Retirement Fund, was quoted in the release as saying:"We must chart a new course toward long-term, sustainable business practices. We cannot drag our feet on the issue of global climate change. I am deeply concerned about the investor risks climate change presents, and the human cost of inaction is unthinkable. As investors in the global economy, we can lead the way toward a future of lasting prosperity."Doing my best to overlook that DiNapoli is arguing for the future of humanity in terms of (what sounds suspiciously like) economic success, I have to believe that the ends will justify the means. With a key meeting coming this December in Copenhagen to negotiate ratifying a new international climate change treaty following the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012, any attention toward this issue is a good thing. The fact that this particular statement has a lot of money behind it doesn't hurt.The statement the group released also has a list of elements they'd like to be included in that treaty, which you can find in the press release, while the list of signatories can be downloaded here.
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