VIENNA (AP) - The U.N. chief is urging the world to "seize the day" on climate change ahead of a major conference on global warming set for December in Copenhagen.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says the threat posed by greenhouse gas emissions underscores how the world's nations must all take action. Ban says the outcome of the Copenhagen conference "will impact the planet for generations to come."

Ban says he also plans to visit the North Pole soon - and he hopes that will send an important message to the international community about the need to tighten pollution controls.

He says "the future of humanity and planet Earth are at stake."

Ban spoke Friday at the U.N. complex in Vienna, which is marking its 30th anniversary as a headquarters for four of the world body's agencies.