United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres on Wednesday reiterated his warning of humanity facing a severe “climate emergency,” and urged nations to come together to end the war on nature and commit to a future free of planet-warming carbon pollution.
The official’s dire remarks follow a year scarred by the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic, extreme hurricanes, wildfires, and heatwaves across the globe. Earlier in the day, the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) 2020 State of the Global Climate report also noted that this year is on course to be one of the three warmest ever recorded.
We are facing a devastating #COVID19 pandemic, new heights of global heating, new lows of ecological degradation & new setbacks in our work towards more equitable, inclusive & sustainable development.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) December 2, 2020
To put it simply, the state of the planet is broken. https://t.co/x03M7PAkvA pic.twitter.com/1lXyLlYG5r
Our planet is in a state of climate emergency.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) December 2, 2020
But I also see hope.
There is momentum toward carbon neutrality. Many cities are becoming greener. The circular economy is reducing waste. Environmental laws have growing reach. And many people are taking #ClimateAction. pic.twitter.com/dDAHH279Er
“The state of the planet is broken,” Guterres said in a speech at Columbia University. “Humanity is waging war on nature. This is suicidal,” he remarked.
The UN chief painted a grim picture of the state of the planet. “Biodiversity is collapsing. One million species are at risk of extinction. Ecosystems are disappearing before our eyes. Deserts are spreading. Wetlands are being lost. Every year, we lose 10 million hectares of forests. Oceans are overfished – and choking with plastic waste. The carbon dioxide they absorb is acidifying the seas. Coral reefs are bleached and dying. Air and water pollution are killing nine million people annually,” he said.
However, Guterres noted that repair was possible. “Next year we have the opportunity to stop plunder and begin healing,” he said, adding that recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic could be humanity’s chance for a reset to save the Earth. He emphasized the need for countries to “make peace with nature” and warned: “There is no vaccine for the planet.”
To this end, the UNSG said that the upcoming December 12 summit marking the fifth anniversary of the Paris accords could be used as a platform to chart a new way forward. Welcoming commitments towards carbon neutrality from China, the European Union (EU), Japan, and South Korea, Guterres said he hoped that other nations would soon follow. “Every country, city, financial institution and company should adopt plans for transitioning to net zero emissions by 2050,” he said.
The central objective of the @UN for 2021 is to build a Global Coalition for Carbon Neutrality.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) December 2, 2020
Every country, city, financial institution & company should adopt plans for net zero emissions by 2050.
Every individual must also do their part - as consumers, producers, investors. pic.twitter.com/3lfxpr7Xim
In overcoming #COVID19, we can also avert climate catastrophe and restore our planet.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) December 2, 2020
We have a chance to not simply reset the world economy but to transform it.
Pandemic recovery and our planet’s repair can be two sides of the same coin. https://t.co/6p2xgA10St #ClimateAction pic.twitter.com/7R5pNOtfbT
He also stressed the importance of the US rejoining the Paris agreement, given the country’s position as not only one of the largest military and economic power but also the biggest cumulative source of heat-trapping emissions. With this in mind, the UN chief noted that it would be impossible to solve the climate problem without “strong American leadership.” US President-elect Joe Biden has vowed to re-enter the agreement on his first day in office.