Ban says time is a precious resource

DAVOS, Switzerland, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- One of the scarcest resources when it comes to linking development to global climate change is time, the U.N. chief said from Switzerland.

"We are running out of time," said U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. "Time to tackle climate change. Time to ensure sustainable, climate-resilient green growth. Time to generate a clean energy revolution."

Ban said the catch phrase for the 21st-century economic growth model was sustainable development, saying the days of mining- and fossil fuel-based economies are over.

The secretary-general said it was time to rethink energy models to protect the planet while supporting economic growth.

It's time "to connect the dots" between climate change and natural resources such as food, energy and water, Ban said.

It is easy to mouth the words 'sustainable development' but to make it happen we have to be prepared to make major changes -- in our lifestyles, our economic models, our social organization and our political life," he said in a statement.