The global average annual temperature is predicted by the UN to surpass the 1.5 degree mark with an 80 percent probability by 2028. This was announced by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who also stated that May 2024 is expected to be the warmest May on record, setting twelve consecutive months of global temperature records. Guterres emphasized the urgent need for drastic action in response to alarming climate reports.
He called for a boycott of advertising and financing for industries profiting from fossil fuels such as gas, oil, and coal. Guterres suggested implementing measures similar to tobacco advertising bans, including a special tax on profits from these industries to fund climate protection projects. He also proposed introducing taxes on shipping, aviation, and the fuel industry to raise additional funds for transitioning to sustainable energy in poorer countries.
According to a report from the International Group of Climate Change (IGCC), human activities have caused a temperature increase of around 0.26 degrees in the last decade alone. This record temperature rise is a significant shift from previous decades, indicating a pressing need for immediate action to mitigate the effects of climate change. Guterres called on leading industrialized and emerging countries, especially the G20 nations responsible for 80 percent of global emissions, to provide support to poorer countries in transitioning to sustainable energy.
Data from the EU climate change service Copernicus reveals that the global average temperature has continuously reached record levels over the past twelve months, with May 2024 being exceptionally warm. Findings indicate that the 1.5 degree threshold of global warming will likely be exceeded in the next five years, emphasizing the urgency of addressing climate change at a global scale. The Paris Climate Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius remains a vital target for sustainable environmental practices.
