United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a dire warning at a meeting of Pacific Island leaders in Tonga, urging countries to take action to combat climate change and rising sea levels. He emphasized that the crisis facing the region is of humanity’s making, with greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels causing the planet to heat up and the sea levels to rise.
In his speech, Guterres highlighted the vulnerability of Pacific islands due to their low elevation and proximity to the coast. He stressed the urgent need for drastic cuts in emissions to prevent further sea level rise and coastal flooding, stating that saving the Pacific also means saving the world.
Guterres also called on the Group of 20 (G20) nations to provide financial support to the most climate-vulnerable countries, including those in the Pacific region. He pointed out that while the Pacific Islands are taking steps to mitigate climate change through initiatives like the Pacific Resilience Facility, international funding is critical to their success.
Recent reports from the World Meteorological Organization and the UN Climate Action Team have highlighted the escalating threat of rising sea levels in the Pacific, with some areas experiencing double the global average increase. Guterres emphasized the need for immediate action to address this pressing issue before it is too late.
The UN General Assembly is scheduled to hold a special session on September 25 to discuss the existential threat posed by rising sea levels, underscoring the importance of global cooperation in addressing the climate crisis.
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