Noah's Ark, which was originally built to save humanity and the animal kingdom from a great flood, is currently being reconstructed in model form on Mount Ararat as a message to mankind to take action to prevent global warming. Environmental activists are leading the effort in the green foothills of the snow-covered mountain in eastern Turkey, where the Bible states the ark landed after the flood. Volunteers are working diligently to finish the wooden vessel by the end of May, coinciding with a summit of world leaders in Germany where climate change will be a key topic. Wolfgang Sadik, campaign leader for Greenpeace, explained that the project is primarily aimed at politicians and world leaders responsible for the climate crisis, in order to serve as a warning and a beacon of hope. The goal is to create a memorial on Mount Ararat that will raise awareness and urgency to act before it is too late. The IPCC of the United Nations has cautioned that carbon dioxide emissions need to be reduced by at least 50% by 2050 in order to prevent harmful climate changes, as stated by the European Union. One major issue related to climate change is the rising sea levels. The UN climate panel predicts that sea levels will increase by 18-59 cms in this century, compared to 17 cms in the previous century. However, there are significant disagreements on how to address this threat. Germany is pushing for G8 countries to endorse the IPCC's target at the upcoming meeting and to promote carbon trading as a means to discourage greenhouse gas emissions. US chief climate negotiator Harlan Watson recently stated that the United States will not accept emissions targets or cap-and-trade schemes as a way to address climate change. Instead, the country will focus on funding clean energy technologies. In the story of Noah's Ark from the Bible, God punishes humanity for their sins by flooding the Earth. Noah, a righteous man, is chosen to save his family and pairs of all animals by building an ark. The biblical ark was much larger than the common depiction, measuring about 140 meters long. The model, intended to become a mountain hut, is a tight fit for climbers. Last week, volunteers faced logistical challenges working at high altitude to haul timber for the boat by horse up the mountain. They are racing against the clock for a May 31 ceremony where doves will be released from the boat and a plea will be made to world leaders to address global warming. Despite doubts from a boatbuilding master, German carpenter Rainer Brumshagen believed it could work. The atmosphere at the gathering is positive and energized as people from different countries come together to work as one. Despite the political tensions, the scene at Mount Ararat is peaceful, with shepherds tending to their sheep and activists from Greenpeace working in their brightly colored tents. However, one of the carpenters working on the model Ark has doubts about its ability to float.