Guterres Calls for Urgent Climate Action to Avoid Catastrophic Climate Disasters

Editorial: Africa Eye

Amid record-breaking temperatures in 2024, António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, urged governments worldwide to present new national climate action plans this year to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Guterres emphasized the importance of supporting the most vulnerable populations to the impacts of climate change, warning that time is running out to make the necessary changes.

In a statement on Friday, Guterres noted that 2024 has seen unprecedented temperatures, which requires decisive and effective climate action in 2025. He added, “Although there is still time to avoid the worst climate scenarios, leaders must act now before the situation becomes uncontrollable.”

This call comes after a report from the World Meteorological Organization confirming that 2024 will be the hottest year on record, with global temperatures rising by 1.55°C above industrial levels. The data also revealed that the past decade (2015-2024) has been the hottest on record.

In this context, the organization also pointed out that the oceans have experienced unprecedented temperature increases, with exceptional rises not only at the surface but also in the lower layers of the oceans, reaching depths of up to 2000 meters.

Highlighting this data reflects the severity of the current situation, underscoring the need for intensified global efforts to combat climate change and ensure a sustainable environment for future generations.