‘The era of global warming has ended; the era of global boiling has arrived,’ says UN chief
July 2023 breaks temperature records with a global average of 16.95°C, the highest for this time of year. Weather experts predict it will be the hottest month ever recorded.
In a message on 27th July, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a warning about the state of our planet’s climate. He urged for radical action to address the unprecedented July temperatures, which indicate that the Earth has entered a new phase he called “global boiling.” The scorching heat experienced across the Northern Hemisphere is causing immense suffering, making it a disaster for the entire world.
Guterres emphasised that climate change is not a distant threat but a terrifying reality we are currently facing. He stated that the era of global warming is over, and we are now in a time where the consequences of climate change are severe and immediate. July 2023 is likely to break numerous temperature records, underscoring the urgency of the climate crisis.
He further expressed his concern about the extreme impacts of climate change, which have aligned with scientists’ predictions. The speed of these changes has surprised many, making it clear that we must act urgently and decisively. Guterres singled out
the fossil fuel sector for its inaction and criticised the excessive profits they continue to make despite the dire situation.
He called upon world leaders to stop hesitating and making excuses, urging them to take actions to combat the crisis. Ahead of the Climate Ambition Summit in September, Guterres asked developed countries to commit to achieving carbon neutrality by 2040, while urging emerging economies to aim for the same goal as close to 2050 as possible.
Guterres stressed the need to turn despair into action. He called on the world to transform this “year of burning heat” into a “year of burning ambition” to tackle the climate crisis and prevent the worst outcomes.
It is clear that the planet is facing a climate emergency, and the time for action is now. The increasing temperatures and extreme weather events serve as wake-up calls for all of us. Climate change is affecting us all, and the consequences are becoming unbearable. Our actions today will determine the future of our planet for generations to come.
