With 2020 being one of the three warmest years on record, extreme weather events are impacting millions.
According to the World Meteorological Organization, the global average temperature last year was about 1.2-degree Celsius above pre-industrial level, which is frighteningly close to the 1.5-degree Celsius limit to prevent the worst impacts of climate change.
Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres said “we are on the verge of the abyss” after finding out that the six years since 2015, have been the warmest on record, and the decade beginning up to this year, was the warmest year ever
Developed countries must lead in phasing out coal – by 2030 in OECD countries, and 2040 elsewhere. No new coal power plants should be built
Mr. Guterres stated
United States President Joe Biden convened the Leaders Summit on climate, to galvanize efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet the targets of the historic 2015 Paris Agreement, agreed by all the nations of the world.
“We have no time to waste. The climate is changing, and the impacts are already too costly for people and the planet. 2021 is the year for action”, said Petteri Taalas, WMO Secretary-General-calling for all countries to commit to zero emissions by 2050.
