In a press conference on climate in NewYork, UN Secretary-General António Guterres sounded the alarm on the unprecedented heatwave gripping the planet.

Presenting official data from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the European Commission's Copernicus Climate Change Service, Guterres revealed that July is on track to become the hottest month ever recorded in human history.

Grim Statistics Paint a Dire Picture

The data showed that July has already witnessed the hottest three-week period, recorded the three hottest days, and experienced the highest-ever ocean temperatures for this time of the year. The consequences of this extreme heat are tragic, with reports of children being swept away by monsoon rains, families fleeing from wildfires, and workers collapsing under scorching conditions.

Climate Change Attributed to Human Activity

Guterres emphasized that there is no doubt about the cause of these catastrophic events, stating that the evidence points to human activities as the primary driver of climate change. He stressed that the era of global warming is over, and the world has now entered an era of "global boiling."

Urgent Need for Immediate Climate Action

The UN Chief called for urgent action from leaders worldwide, especially from the G20 countries responsible for 80% of global emissions. He urged them to set ambitious new national emissions reduction targets in line with the Climate Solidarity Pact and Acceleration Agenda. Developed countries should aim for net-zero emissions by 2040, with emerging economies following suit by 2050, supported by developed nations.

Transition from Fossil Fuels to Renewables

Guterres laid out a comprehensive plan to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. He called on companies, cities, regions, and financial institutions to align with the United Nations' net-zero standard and shift their investments and focus toward renewables. He specifically demanded an end to fossil fuel lending and investments and a clear commitment from fossil fuel companies to transition to clean energy.

Adaptation and Climate Justice

The UN Chief emphasized the need for a global surge in adaptation investment to protect vulnerable communities from the increasing impacts of extreme weather events. Developed countries were called upon to double adaptation finance by 2025 and allocate at least half of all climate finance to adaptation efforts. An early warning system covering every person on earth should be in place by 2027.

Fulfilling Climate Finance Commitments

Guterres expressed concern over the slow progress in fulfilling climate finance commitments. Developed countries must uphold their promise to provide $100 billion annually to support climate actions in developing nations and fully replenish the Green Climate Fund. He urged multilateral development banks to reform their business models and prioritize funding for renewables, adaptation, and loss and damage.

The Time for Action is Now

The UN Chief concluded on a hopeful note, stating that while the situation is dire, it is still possible to avert the worst impacts of climate change. However, immediate and accelerated action is necessary to achieve this. Guterres called upon leaders to respond to the climate crisis with burning ambition and make the necessary changes to combat climate change effectively.

The world now looks towards critical opportunities for climate action, including the Africa Climate Summit, the G20 Summit, the UN Climate Ambition Summit, and COP28. The Climate Ambition Summit in September is expected to bring together leaders and first-movers committed to taking swift and decisive action to protect the planet and humanity from the escalating climate crisis. (ILKHA)