Current:Home > reviewsClimate change "time bomb" requires "quantum leap" in action by all countries now, U.N. warns-DB Wealth Institute B2 Reviews & Ratings
Climate change "time bomb" requires "quantum leap" in action by all countries now, U.N. warns
lotradecoin instant crypto swaps View Date:2024-12-25 15:45:00
United Nations — U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on wealthy countries Monday to move up their goals of achieving carbon neutrality as close as possible to 2040, mostly from 2050 now, in order to "defuse the climate time bomb." Introducing a capstone report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on the impacts and trajectory of global warming, Guterres delivered a blunt assessment of the challenge to prevent climate catastrophe.
"Humanity is on thin ice, and that ice is melting fast," the United Nations chief said in a video message as the IPCC experts group issued its latest report, which he likened to "a survival guide for humanity."
- Somalia drought blamed for some 43,000 deaths, half of them kids
Guterres said the world still has time to limit average temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) compared to pre-industrial times, but this requires "a quantum leap in climate action" by all countries in all sectors.
"It starts with parties immediately hitting the fast-forward button on their net zero deadlines," Guterres said, but he acknowledged countries have different levels of responsibility and ability to change course.
Rich countries should commit to achieving carbon neutrality as close as possible to 2040, he said, calling it "the limit they should all aim to respect."
"Carbon neutrality" or "net zero" carbon emissions refer to goals for cutting emissions of carbon dioxide, one of the most prevalent greenhouse gases warming the planet, which results from the burning of fossil fuels.
Scientists say the impacts of climate change are being felt in more frequent and extreme conditions around the globe, ranging from droughts that threaten food supplies to record rainfall and coastal floods.
As things stand now, most rich countries have set their emissions goal at 2050 but some are more ambitious, like Finland (2035), or Germany and Sweden (2045).
Leaders in emerging economies must commit to reaching net zero as close as possible to 2050, he said without naming any specific nation. Major countries in this category have set more distant goals like China (2060) and India (2070).
U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry said in a statement that the message of the latest report "is abundantly clear: we are making progress, but not enough. We have the tools to stave off and reduce the risks of the worst impacts of the climate crisis, but we must take advantage of this moment to act now."
He noted a number of steps the U.S. is taking, including provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act, which President Biden signed into law in August, that Kerry says are projected to cut U.S. emissions 50-52% below 2005 levels in 2030. The act includes rebates and tax credits for homeowners to increase energy efficiency.
Guterres, who will hold a climate action summit in September, again stressed the role of the Group of 20 — the world's largest economies and Europe ‚ which together are responsible for 80 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
"This is the moment for all G20 members to come together in a joint effort, pooling their resources and scientific capacities as well as their proven and affordable technologies through the public and private sectors to make carbon neutrality a reality by 2050," Guterres said.
- In:
- Climate Change
- Auto Emissions
- Carbon Capture
- Pollution
veryGood! (327)
Related
- CPI report for July is out: What does latest data mean for the US economy?
- Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker's Latest PDA Photo Will Make You Blush
- Uganda ends school year early as it tries to contain growing Ebola outbreak
- Roberta Flack announces she has ALS
- Ranking MLB jersey advertisements: Whose patch is least offensive?
- Jennifer Garner Reveals Why Her Kids Prefer to Watch Dad Ben Affleck’s Movies
- Arctic Methane Leaks Go Undetected Because Equipment Can’t Handle the Cold
- Warren Buffett Faces Pressure to Invest for the Climate, Not Just for Profit
- Family of man killed by Connecticut police officer files lawsuit, seeks federal probe of department
- Are the Canadian wildfires still burning? Here's a status update
Ranking
- Alabama Supreme Court authorizes third nitrogen gas execution
- Climate prize winner empowers women in India to become farmers and entrepreneurs
- The bear market is finally over. Here's why investors see better days ahead.
- How climate change is raising the cost of food
- NASA still hasn't decided the best way to get the Starliner crew home: 'We've got time'
- ‘We Must Grow This Movement’: Youth Climate Activists Ramp Up the Pressure
- Sia Marries Dan Bernard During Intimate Italian Ceremony: See the Wedding Photos
- Montana voters reject so-called 'Born Alive' ballot measure
Recommendation
-
2025 COLA estimate dips with inflation, but high daily expenses still burn seniors
-
Today’s Climate: August 9, 2010
-
More older Americans become homeless as inflation rises and housing costs spike
-
More Americans are struggling to pay the bills. Here's who is suffering most.
-
Clint Eastwood's Son Scott Shares How Family Is Doing After Death of Christina Sandera
-
Meghan Trainor's Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Mom Are Here to Save Mother's Day
-
Walmart offers to pay $3.1 billion to settle opioid lawsuits
-
Chrissy Teigen Reacts to Speculation She Used a Surrogate to Welcome Baby Esti
Tags
-
lotradecoin mobile app features
lotradecoin customer service support
lotradecoin fiat-to-crypto conversion rates
lotradecoin leverage trading explained
lotradecoin fiat-to-crypto conversion rates
lotradecoin referral bonus structure
lotradecoin trading platform reviews
lotradecoin trading fee structure
lotradecoin trading competition updates