UN Secretary-General António Guterres explained at a press conference on Thursday 27th July that climate change is here, it is terrifying and that it was just the beginning. He said it was still possible to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C and avoid the worst of climate of change, but only with dramatic, immediate climate action.
According to the United Nations, July is to be the hottest month on record. With the first three weeks already registering global average temperatures above any comparative period, it is extremely likely that July 2023 will be the hottest month on records dating back to the 1940s – the era of global warming has come to an end, and we are now at the era of global boiling.
Gueterre’s comments followed the news that the past 3 weeks have been the hottest since records began and July will likely be the hottest month ever recorded. He urged governments around the world to take action immediately as the heat is unbearable, the air is unbreathable, and the level of fossil fuel profits and climate inaction is unacceptable. He went on to say that leaders should lead, with no more hesitancy, no more excuses, and that there was simply no more time for waiting for others to move first.
Petteri Taalas, the Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organization added that the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions was more urgent than ever before and that climate action was not a luxury but a must. Searing heatwaves have been sweeping Asia, North America and Europe for the past 3 weeks affecting tens of millions of people while Canada has been ravaged by fierce wildfires scorching across the country. Parts of Northern India have been devastated by floods, with wildfires raging in several countries across the Mediterranean region where extreme heat has left landscapes tinder dry. Scientists expect the second half of the year to be even warmer as El Niño takes full effect.
Hundreds of firefighters are struggling to contain the deadly blazes across Greece that have been raging for two weeks.
Beijing saw a record-breaking streak of 4 weeks of highs above 35 deg C, and the elderly have been urged to stay indoors while children have been asked to shorten outdoor playtime by authorities.
