World Faces Climate Crisis as UN Warns of Rising Temperatures
In a stark warning on Thursday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has highlighted the dire consequences of global inaction on climate change, stating that the world is “paying a terrible price,” Al Jazeera reported.
The UN report reveals that current policies could lead to a staggering increase of over 3 degrees Celsius (5.4 degrees Fahrenheit) by the end of the century, significantly exceeding the targets set in the Paris Agreement.
The annual Emissions Gap Report indicates that without urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, global temperatures could rise by as much as 3.1 degrees Celsius (5.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels by 2100. This scenario threatens to unleash catastrophic environmental impacts, with the poorest nations suffering the most from extreme weather events, including floods, droughts, and heatwaves.
Guterres emphasized the urgent need for world leaders to bridge the emissions gap, stating, “Either leaders bridge the emissions gap, or we plunge headlong into climate disaster.” As nations prepare for the upcoming COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, discussions will focus on strengthening commitments to reduce emissions and transition away from fossil fuels.
The report calls for a collective annual reduction of 42 percent in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 to keep the 1.5 degrees Celsius target within reach. With global emissions reaching new highs, the time for decisive action is rapidly running out, and the world must act now to avert a climate catastrophe.
