COP29: Countdown to limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius has begun- UN Secretary-General
Oru Leonard
The world is running out of time. The clock is ticking, and the countdown to limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius has begun. UN Secretary-General António Guterres today, delivered a powerful message to world leaders at the Climate Action Summit at COP29, emphasizing the urgent need for collective action.
“We’re experiencing the hottest year on record, with devastating consequences. Families are fleeing hurricanes, biodiversity is being destroyed in scorching seas, and workers are collapsing from unbearable heat. The rich are responsible for the problem, but the poor bear the brunt. Oxfam reveals that the wealthiest billionaires emit more carbon in an hour and a half than the average person does in a lifetime”, he said.
Anthonio said three Priorities to Beat the Clock. Three activities should be put in place.
1. Emergency Emissions Reductions: Cut global emissions by 9% annually to reach 43% reduction by 2030.
2. Protecting People from Climate Crisis: Double adaptation finance to $40 billion annually by 2025 and ensure every person has access to early warning systems.
3. Climate Finance: Increase concessional public finance, tap innovative sources, and boost lending capacity for Multilateral Development Banks.
He noted that the clean energy revolution is underway, with solar and wind becoming the cheapest electricity sources. It’s time for governments, businesses, and individuals to work together to ensure a fair and rapid transition.
The Clock is Ticking
The UN Secretary-General urges world leaders to take immediate action, emphasizing that climate finance is not charity but an investment in our future. The world must pay up, or humanity will pay the price. With only a short time left to act, the COP29 outcome must drive progress and deliver a liveable world for all humanity.
