UN warns of climate calamity, calls for urgent action for adaptation
UN Secretary General António Guterres warned Thursday that the world is unprepared for the “climate calamity” already unfolding, with global efforts to adapt to climate change failing to keep pace with its escalating impact.
Guterres stressed that disasters like floods, fires, and droughts, which have affected nearly every continent, are becoming more frequent and intense due to global warming.
At the launch of the UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) 2022 Adaptation Gap Report, Guterres pointed out that adaptation measures, such as sea walls and drought-resistant crops, have not received adequate funding.
In 2022, developing countries received just $28 billion for climate adaptation, far below the $215–387 billion needed annually. UNEP estimates that even doubling the amount by 2025 will leave a significant gap in funding.
Rich nations had pledged $100 billion for climate action in developing countries, including adaptation, but political and fiscal pressures make new commitments unlikely at the upcoming COP29 summit in Azerbaijan. While global adaptation funding has increased, it remains insufficient to address the growing threat.
Patrick Verkooijen, CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation, emphasized that the impacts of climate change—rising seas, heatwaves, and floods—are no longer confined to the poorest nations and now affect every corner of the globe.
As of last week, subsequent floods killed more than 200 people, displaced more than 400 people, and saw hundreds of thousands lose access to water and electricity in Spain, with experts confirming that the death toll is the highest in a flood event in Europe since 1967.
With climate disasters taking an increasing toll, Guterres called for urgent, immediate action to protect vulnerable communities and prepare for future shocks.
