World leaders must break deadly cycle of global warming at COP28 climate conference, warns UN chief
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to the press outside the Security Council Chamber at the UN headquarters in New York, on Nov. 27, 2023. Guterres emphasized on Monday that world leaders attending the COP28 climate conference this week need to interrupt the perilous progression of global warming before a "critical tipping point" is encountered. COP28, which refers to the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, is scheduled to be held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12. (Xinhua/Xie E)
UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized on Monday that world leaders attending the COP28 climate conference this week need to interrupt the perilous progression of global warming before a "critical tipping point" is encountered.
The UN chief was briefing reporters at the UN headquarters in New York after seeing for himself over the weekend the "profoundly shocking" speed at which ice is melting in Antarctica -- three times faster than the rate in the early 1990s.
COP28, which refers to the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, is scheduled to be held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12.
Recent data shows that the current extent of sea ice at the South Pole is 1.5 million square kilometers less than the average for this season, an area equivalent to the total combined landmass of Portugal, Spain, France, and Germany.
"What happens in Antarctica doesn't stay in Antarctica," Guterres said. "We live in an interconnected world. Melting sea ice means rising seas. And that directly endangers lives and livelihoods in coastal communities across the globe."
He pointed out that the consequences extend beyond the impact of floods and saltwater intrusion on food and water resources, affecting the sustainability of small islands and numerous coastal cities around the globe.
"The movement of waters around Antarctica distributes heat, nutrients and carbon around the world, helping to regulate our climate and regional weather patterns," he told correspondents outside the UN Security Council.
"But that system is slowing as the southern Ocean grows warmer and less dense. Further slowdown -- or entire breakdown -- would spell catastrophe."
With no let-up in fossil fuel extraction "we're heading towards a calamitous three-degree Celsius temperature rise by the end of the century," he warned.
"If we continue as we are, and I strongly hope we will not, the Greenland and West Antarctica ice sheets will cross a deadly tipping point," he said.
The vicious cycle means accelerated heating as ice diminishes and more extreme weather, said the secretary-general.
At COP28, "leaders must break this cycle," the UN chief declared.
"The solutions are well known. Leaders must act to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, protect people from climate chaos, and end the fossil fuel age."
Only a global pact to triple renewable energy use, a doubling in energy efficiency and access to clean power for all by 2030, will be sufficient, he said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to the press outside the Security Council Chamber at the UN headquarters in New York, on Nov. 27, 2023. Guterres emphasized on Monday that world leaders attending the COP28 climate conference this week need to interrupt the perilous progression of global warming before a "critical tipping point" is encountered. COP28, which refers to the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, is scheduled to be held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12. (Xinhua/Xie E)
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to the press outside the Security Council Chamber at the UN headquarters in New York, on Nov. 27, 2023. Guterres emphasized on Monday that world leaders attending the COP28 climate conference this week need to interrupt the perilous progression of global warming before a "critical tipping point" is encountered. COP28, which refers to the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, is scheduled to be held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12. (Xinhua/Xie E)
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to the press outside the Security Council Chamber at the UN headquarters in New York, on Nov. 27, 2023. Guterres emphasized on Monday that world leaders attending the COP28 climate conference this week need to interrupt the perilous progression of global warming before a "critical tipping point" is encountered. COP28, which refers to the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, is scheduled to be held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12. (Xinhua/Xie E)
Related articles
PHOTOS: At the Pet Gala, fashion goes to the dogs
NEW YORK (AP) — They may call it a catwalk, but the Pet Gala is the dogs’ time to shine.Designer Ant2024-05-22Burnley routs Sheffield United to boost survival chances. Luton sunk by Brentford
Burnley’s hopes of English Premier League survival were boosted by routing last-placed Sheffield Uni2024-05-22Taylor Swift and Matty Healy's turbulent relationship timeline: A look at the on
As Taylor Swift released her much-anticipated 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, Swif2024-05-22Milwaukee teenager gets 13 years for shooting inside restaurant that killed 2 other teens
MILWAUKEE (AP) — A Milwaukee teenager has been sentenced to 13 years in prison after pleading guilty2024-05-22Kentucky congressman expects no voter fallout for his role in attempt to oust House speaker
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Fresh off his role in a failed attempt to topple the House speaker, Republica2024-05-22This ancient snake in India might have been longer than a school bus and weighed a ton
WASHINGTON (AP) — A ancient giant snake in India might have been longer than a school bus and weighe2024-05-22
atest comment