The general secretary of the United Nations ?UN?, Antonio Guterres, assured that «the era of global warming has ended; the era of global boiling has arrived”, this after the World Meteorological Organization published official data confirming that July 2023 will be the warmest month ever recorded in human history.
At a press conference, Guterres stressed that July 2023 will break records in all areas.
“According to data released today, July has already seen the hottest three-week period on record; the three hottest days on record; and the highest ocean temperatures for this time of year. The consequences are clear and tragic: children washed away by monsoon rains; families fleeing the flames; workers collapsing in scorching heat," the official said.
And it is that, on July 6, the average daily air temperature on the global surface exceeded the record set in August 2016, becoming the hottest day on record, with July 5 and 7 shortly after.
The first three weeks of July have been the hottest three-week period on record. The global average temperature temporarily exceeded the threshold of 1.5° Celsius above the pre-industrial level during the first and third weeks of the month.
For vast parts of North America, Asia, Africa and Europe, it is a cruel summer, Guterres said. "For the entire planet, it's a disaster."
In this sense, he stressed that, for scientists, it is unequivocal: "humans are to blame."
This, he said, is entirely consistent with predictions and repeated warnings, however the only surprise is the speed of change.
"Climate change is here. It's terrifying. And it's just the beginning," he said.
The UN Secretary General acknowledged that “the air is unbreathable. The heat is unbearable. And the level of profit from fossil fuels and climate inaction is unacceptable. Leaders must lead. No more doubts. No more excuses. No more waiting for others to move first. There's just no more time for that."
The official explained that it is still possible to limit the increase in global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius and avoid the worst of climate change, although for this dramatic and immediate action is needed since "accelerating temperatures demand accelerated action."
In practice, he assured, the first thing is the reduction of emissions by the members of the G20, that developed countries commit to reaching zero net emissions as close as possible to 2040, and emerging economies as close as possible to 2050, with support of developed countries to do so.
Also, he said, credible plans must be presented to exit coal by 2030 for OECD countries and 2040 for the rest of the world, as well as to reach net-zero electricity by 2035 in developed countries and by 2040 elsewhere. .
The actions, he specified, should not be limited to those of governments, since companies, cities, regions and financial institutions can align themselves with these standards.
“Financial institutions must end their lending, underwriting and investing in fossil fuels and switch to renewable energy. And fossil fuel companies must chart their move to clean energy, with detailed transition plans across the entire value chain: no more greenwashing. No more cheating. And no more abusive distortion of antitrust laws to sabotage net zero alliances,” he said.
Extreme weather is becoming the new normal
“It is time for a global increase in investment in adaptation to save millions of lives from climate [carnage]. That requires unprecedented coordination around the priorities and plans of vulnerable developing countries,” Guterres explained.
In this regard, he explained that developed countries must present a clear and credible roadmap to double adaptation financing by 2025 as a first step to dedicate at least half of all climate financing to adaptation.
For this, he explained that finance is important, and that the promises made on international climate financing must be fulfilled.
"Developed countries must meet their commitments to provide $100 billion a year to developing countries for climate support and fully replenish the Green Climate Fund," he said, acknowledging that only two G7 countries have made replenishment commitments. , Canada and Germany.
Thus, "we need a course correction in the global financial system to support accelerated climate action," he stressed, including putting a price on carbon and pressuring multilateral development banks to review their business models and investment approaches. risk.
"We need the multilateral development banks to leverage their funds to mobilize much more private finance at a reasonable cost for developing countries, and increase their financing for renewable energy, adaptation, and loss and damage," he added.
“The evidence is everywhere: humanity has unleashed destruction. This should not inspire despair, but action. We can still stop the worst. But to do so we must turn a year of burning heat into a year of burning ambition. And accelerate climate action, now."
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