UN Chief Warns of Devastating Consequences as Global Heating Surpasses 1.5C Limit
In a stark warning, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres has stated that humanity has failed to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius and must change course immediately. This admission comes ahead of next month's Cop30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil.
Guterres' remarks acknowledge that it is now "inevitable" for the planet to overshoot the Paris Agreement target, with potentially disastrous consequences. He emphasized that the longer leaders delay cutting emissions, the greater the danger of passing catastrophic "tipping points" in the Amazon, Arctic, and oceans.
The UN chief stressed that governments must shift direction to avoid these tipping points. The priority is to reduce emissions dramatically as soon as possible. Guterres warned that if we don't change course, the world may face devastating consequences, including the transformation of the Amazon into a savannah.
Despite growing scientific alarm about global temperature increases caused by fossil fuel burning, government commitments have fallen short. Fewer than a third of countries have submitted their climate action plans, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. The US has abandoned this process, while Europe has promised but failed to deliver.
China, the world's largest emitter, is accused of undercommitting. Guterres called for governments to rebalance representation at Cop30 so that civil society groups and Indigenous communities can have a greater presence and influence than corporate interests.
The UN chief also emphasized the importance of Indigenous voices in climate decision-making. He stressed that it is fundamental to invest in Indigenous communities, who are the best guardians of nature. Guterres highlighted the need for world leaders to learn from Indigenous peoples on how to achieve a balance with nature.
Guterres' remarks come as Brazil has given the green light for oil exploration near the Amazon mouth. The UN chief plans to raise this issue during Cop30 and ensure that the Tropical Forests Forever Facility prioritizes Indigenous communities.
As the world approaches its final year under Guterres' leadership, he reiterated his commitment to climate action, biodiversity protection, and nature conservation. He vowed never to give up on these causes despite facing a complex and challenging environmental landscape.
The UN chief's warning serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for global cooperation and collective action to mitigate the effects of global heating. The consequences of inaction will be severe, and it is imperative that world leaders take immediate and decisive action to change course and protect our planet.
In a stark warning, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres has stated that humanity has failed to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius and must change course immediately. This admission comes ahead of next month's Cop30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil.
Guterres' remarks acknowledge that it is now "inevitable" for the planet to overshoot the Paris Agreement target, with potentially disastrous consequences. He emphasized that the longer leaders delay cutting emissions, the greater the danger of passing catastrophic "tipping points" in the Amazon, Arctic, and oceans.
The UN chief stressed that governments must shift direction to avoid these tipping points. The priority is to reduce emissions dramatically as soon as possible. Guterres warned that if we don't change course, the world may face devastating consequences, including the transformation of the Amazon into a savannah.
Despite growing scientific alarm about global temperature increases caused by fossil fuel burning, government commitments have fallen short. Fewer than a third of countries have submitted their climate action plans, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. The US has abandoned this process, while Europe has promised but failed to deliver.
China, the world's largest emitter, is accused of undercommitting. Guterres called for governments to rebalance representation at Cop30 so that civil society groups and Indigenous communities can have a greater presence and influence than corporate interests.
The UN chief also emphasized the importance of Indigenous voices in climate decision-making. He stressed that it is fundamental to invest in Indigenous communities, who are the best guardians of nature. Guterres highlighted the need for world leaders to learn from Indigenous peoples on how to achieve a balance with nature.
Guterres' remarks come as Brazil has given the green light for oil exploration near the Amazon mouth. The UN chief plans to raise this issue during Cop30 and ensure that the Tropical Forests Forever Facility prioritizes Indigenous communities.
As the world approaches its final year under Guterres' leadership, he reiterated his commitment to climate action, biodiversity protection, and nature conservation. He vowed never to give up on these causes despite facing a complex and challenging environmental landscape.
The UN chief's warning serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for global cooperation and collective action to mitigate the effects of global heating. The consequences of inaction will be severe, and it is imperative that world leaders take immediate and decisive action to change course and protect our planet.
We're literally running out of time here! I mean, 1.5C limit has been breached already? It's not like we were given a clear road map to do this in the first place... The US abandoning NDCs is just one example of how countries are failing their commitments. 
We need more than just empty promises from governments, especially when it comes to something as critical as climate change.
And what about the Amazon? The thought of it turning into a savannah is just heartbreaking. We need to take action now, not next month or in 5 years' time... We owe it to ourselves, our kids, and future generations. 
. Global heating just passed 1.5C limit and Guterres is saying its inevitable we'll overshoot now... imagine the Amazon turning into a savannah 
. And what's worse, China's just accused of undercommitting on climate change... how are we gonna fix this? The US abandoned NDCs altogether 
. I'm starting to think it's too late for us, all we can do is sit back and watch the world burn 
. And Cop30 is coming up soon, but I doubt anything will change at that point... just a bunch of empty promises 
.
its like we're running out of time here... global heating is such a huge issue and yet we still not taking it seriously enough 
the amazon turning into a savannah is just one of many tipping points we're staring at right now 
we need world leaders to take responsibility and work together ASAP 
if we don't step up our emission game ASAP.
. but hey, at least Guterres is giving them a hard time about it - maybe they'll finally get the hint.
. let's hope the world leaders listen and invest in some good old-fashioned community knowledge.
. with Guterres at the helm, I'm hoping we'll finally see some serious action on emissions reduction... or at least a lot of soul-searching 
.
and everyone's gotta work together to win... but currently we're losing 
because of global heating! 
and less corporate interests getting in the way 
they're literally the best at taking care of nature 
or else we're toast 
️
and that's something to hold onto 