World running out of time to save climate: UN

 

The year 2021 must be the one of action for protecting people against the “disastrous” effects of climate change; the UN insisted on Monday, ahead of a crucial US-convened summit. Time is fast running out to tackle the climate crisis, the UN warned, with the pandemic having failed to put the brakes on “relentless” climate change.

The call comes alongside a major report ahead of US President Joe Biden’s climate summit on Thursday and Friday.

Forty world leaders have also been invited to attend Biden’s virtual talks aimed at galvanising efforts by the major economies to tackle the climate crisis.

“We are on the verge of the abyss,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a press conference as he unveiled the State of the Global Climate 2020 report; by the UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

“This is truly a pivotal year for humanity’s future. And this report shows we have no time to waste; climate disruption is here,” Guterres said, as he urged countries to “end our war on nature.”

The report described 2020 as certainly one of the hottest years on record; while greenhouse gas concentrations increased despite the pandemic-related economic slowdown.

Last year featured “extreme weather and also climate disruption, fuelled by anthropogenic climate change, affecting lives; destroying livelihoods as well as forcing many millions from their homes,” Guterres said.

“This is the year for action. Countries need to commit to net zero emissions by 2050;” the UN chief said. “They need to act now to protect people against the disastrous effects of climate change.”

Stabilising the temperature

The 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change calls for capping global warming at well below two degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial level; while countries will pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 C.

The WMO believes there is at least a one in five chance of the average global temperature temporarily exceeding the 1.5 C mark by 2024.

The Paris goals will figure prominently at Biden’s summit; which young Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg sees as an opportunity to help “change our mindsets” to get more serious about climate change.

“As long as we are not actually treating the crisis like a crisis; of course we won’t be able to achieve any major changes,” Thunberg told a World Health Organization event.