NEW YORK: The United Nations’ leading climate expert has warned that the human race has a mere two years to mitigate the most severe impacts of global warming.
Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, delivered this stark warning during a public event in London last Wednesday.
Stiell emphasized that the responsibility lies with every individual on the planet to take action. He stressed the need for immediate, robust national climate plans to drive down greenhouse gas emissions.
This timeline marks a significant acceleration from previous estimates. While climate experts had previously targeted a reduction in emissions by 2030 to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, Stiell’s warning underscores the need for swifter action.
Exceeding this temperature threshold would lead to deadlier storms, hotter heatwaves, agricultural devastation, and other catastrophic consequences, as most researchers agree. Unfortunately, global energy-related CO2 emissions reached a record high last year.
Furthermore, a UN report released last year cautioned that the planet is on track to surpass the 1.5-degree limit and reach 2.5 degrees Celsius by 2100, even if current mitigation plans are implemented worldwide.
Despite the grim outlook, there are glimmers of hope. Scientists are exploring innovative solutions, such as carbon sequestration and solar geoengineering, though these come with their own risks and uncertainties.
However, as Stiell and others warn, time is of the essence. Governments must heed these warnings and take ambitious action to address the urgent threat of climate change.
