Guterres says people 'paying terrible price' for climate inaction

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has sounded the alarm about global warming once more, warning that humanity is already "paying a terrible price" for its inaction regarding climate change.

A new report released on Thursday by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) cited all-time high greenhouse gas emissions recorded in the UN Emissions Gap Report 2024, urging world leaders to take decisive action to prevent catastrophic spikes in temperature to avoid the worst impact of climate change.

In a recorded message at the release of the UNEP's Emissions Gap report, Guterres said the emissions gap is not an abstract notion, pointing out that "there is a direct link between increasing emissions and increasingly frequent and intense climate disasters."

Guterres warned that humanity is already "paying a terrible price." 

"Today’s emissions gap report is clear. We're playing with fire. But there can be no more playing for time. We are out of time," Guterres emphasized. "Around the world, people are paying a terrible price."

"Record emissions mean record seen temperatures, supercharging monster hurricanes," he said. "Record rains are resulting in biblical floods."

UN chief calls for 'massive investments' to help Pakistan flood recovery

The UN chief calls for "massive investments" to help Pakistan recover from last year

"Record heat is turning forests into tinder boxes," he warned. “We are teetering on a planetary tight rope.”

“Either leaders bridge the emissions gap or we plunge headlong into climate disaster, with the poorest and most vulnerable suffering the most," warned Guterres.

The UN chief said there is still hope. He urged world leaders, particularly the ones leading the largest economies – G20 counties responsible for 80 percent of global gas emissions – to take lead in the efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions. 

“Today’s report shows affordable, existing technologies can achieve the emissions reductions we need to 2030 and 2035 to meet the 1.5°C limit, but only with a surge in ambition and support,” said Guterres.

The UNEP report suggests boosting solar photovoltaic and wind energy usage to contribute 27 percent of the total greenhouse gas reduction in 2030 and 38 percent by 2035. In addition, it suggests forest conservation could provide around 20 percent of the necessary reductions in both years.

It also suggests enhancing energy efficiency, electrifying various sectors and transitioning from fossil fuels in buildings, transport and industry as other effective strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The report, however, also stated that realizing even a fraction of this potential will demand an unprecedented level of cooperation by world leaders, focused on maximizing socioeconomic and environmental benefits while minimizing trade-offs.

UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen said, “We need global mobilization on a scale and pace never seen before, starting right now."

She said if world leaders' inaction regarding climate change continues, humanity will inevitably face a catastrophic 3.1°C temperature rise.

Former US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed climate change is a “hoax”. In 2017, he pulled the US out of the landmark Paris climate accord, creating a major disruption in the decades-long international efforts to bring all nations together to combat climate change.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk