Antonio Guterres slams 'pitiful' world response to climate change
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday the world is racing toward a climate change disaster, dismissing the current global response as woefully inadequate.
Climate policies currently adopted will lead to average temperatures 2.8 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times by the end of the century, nearly twice the UN goal of a 1.5-degree rise, Guterres said.
"That spells catastrophe. Yet the collective response remains pitiful," Guterres told a press conference.
"We are hurtling towards disaster, eyes wide open -- with far too many willing to bet it all on wishful thinking, unproven technologies and silver bullet solutions. It's time to wake up and step up," said the UN chief.
He said the fossil fuel industry must undertake not just a transition but a full-blown transformation as it moves toward clean energy "and away from a product incompatible with human survival."
Guterres added: "Countries are far off-track in meeting climate promises and commitments. I see a lack of ambition. A lack of trust. A lack of support. A lack of cooperation. And an abundance of problems around clarity and credibility."
Guterres, who is hosting a climate summit in New York in September, said the 1.5-degree goal is "still possible," if the fight against climate change is accelerated.
"All of this action must be global. It must be immediate. And it must start with the polluted heart of the climate crisis: the fossil fuel industry," he warned.
"Let's face facts. The problem is not simply fossil fuel emissions. It's fossil fuels -- period."
Guterres also called out the oil and gas industry's $4 trillion net income last year.
"Yet for every dollar it spends on oil and gas drilling and exploration, only 4 cents went to clean energy and carbon capture -- combined."
"Trading the future for thirty pieces of silver is immoral," he cautioned.
(Source: AFP)
Russian court orders Google to pay staggering fine of $20 decillion
US police arrest pro-Palestine protesters for 'occupying' Minnesota University building
Over 200 pro-Palestinian protesters arrested outside New York Stock Exchange
VIDEO | Iraqi fighters strike Israeli military target, vow ‘increasing intensity’
VIDEO | Iran confirms successful signals from Kowsar, Hodhod satellites
VIDEO | What will keep Gaza on top of the new US presidential agenda?
188 Palestinian journalists killed since start of Israeli war: Gaza media office
Enemy fears us, our weapons, fighters tell Hezbollah’s leader
VIDEO | Silencing anti-Israeli voices
Trump prepares to pull US out of Paris Agreement: Report
VIDEO | Protesters in Sydney demand end to military support for Israel
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
