NEW YORK: United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says that the Earth has entered an “era of global boiling”. He urged immediate radical action on climate change, as the world witnessed record-breaking temperatures in July.
The northern hemisphere, including Europe and the Americas, is experiencing a blistering heatwave. It has led to devastating wildfires in countries like Greece, Italy, and Algeria along the Mediterranean.
In New York, Guterres referred to the intense northern hemisphere heat as a “cruel summer,”. He stated that it’s a disaster for the entire planet. He predicted that July 2023 would break numerous temperature records, except for an improbable mini-Ice Age.
ERA5 data from Copernicus Climate Change Service indicates the first three weeks of July as the warmest on record, with the month on track to become the hottest July and month ever recorded. The previous record was in July 2019. Full ERA5 data for July will be available and published on August 8.
Existential Threat
Amid a record-breaking heatwave affecting significant parts of the United States, President Joe Biden referred to the soaring temperatures caused by climate change as an “existential threat.” He emphasized that the impact of global climate change is undeniable.
President Joe Biden acknowledged heat as the primary weather-related killer in the US, causing 600 deaths annually. He announced plans to strengthen heat-related safety rules for outdoor workers.
UN Secretary-General Guterres affirmed that climate change’s extreme impacts align with scientists’ predictions, expressing concern about the speed of the changes. He urged swift and comprehensive action, criticizing the fossil fuel sector’s inaction.
Guterres called on leaders to take the lead, demanding that developed countries achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. He also urged the emerging economies as close to 2050 as possible. He emphasized that humanity must turn destruction into an ambition to prevent the worst outcomes.
Extreme weather in July caused havoc worldwide, with record-breaking temperatures in China, the US, and Southern Europe, leading to wildfires, water shortages, and heat-related illnesses. Tragic incidents occurred in Sicily, Algeria, and parts of Europe due to intense heatwaves, forcing evacuations and causing fatalities.
