The UN anticipates that the 1.5-degree temperature target will be surpassed in 80% of the years that lie ahead.
UN Secretary-General Guterres made note of recent findings from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the EU Earth Observation Programme during a speech at the Natural History Museum in a major US city. Guterres likened the effects of human-caused global warming to the "meteorite that wiped out the dinosaurs."
The increasingly frequent global record-breaking average temperatures in May mark the twelfth consecutive month that a new temperature record has been set. As suggested by Copernicus, the global average temperature on land and water surface in the previous month was 1.52 degrees Celsius higher than the average May temperature during the 1850-1900 period. Consequently, May is the "11th month in a row since July 2023 to surpass the values of the pre-industrial era by 1.5 degrees or more."
The 1.5-degree target was established in the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015. This target involves significantly restricting global warming below two degrees, with the preferred option being 1.5 degrees relative to the pre-industrial era. The reference here is to the average value over a prolonged period. Given the growing danger of global warming, fulfilling this goal is becoming increasingly challenging.
A study published in the journal "Earth System Science Data" on Wednesday revealed that the average rise was 1.19 degrees Celsius compared to the years 1850-1900 in the last decade (2014-2023).
Guterres emphasized that global greenhouse gas emissions must "decrease by 9% annually by 2030" to avert missing the 1.5-degree goal. Fossil fuel combustion is predominantly responsible for the release of climate-harming substances into the atmosphere. While global consensus at the UN Climate Conference in December agreed to phase out fossil fuel use, tangible progress has not yet been observed.
Guterres urged for an advertising ban on harmful energy sources such as coal or diesel. "Many governments restrict or prohibit the advertising of products detrimental to human health, such as tobacco," Guterres asserted in his New York speech. "I urge each nation to ban advertising for companies in the fossil fuel industry."
Guterres reiterated his proposal for an additional tax on the fossil industry to support the fight against global warming. The possibility of a "solidarity tax" for the aviation and shipping sectors was also mentioned, but no further comments were provided.
Guterres urged the international community not to let their attention be diverted from "the terrifying conflicts" on Earth by the "existential threat to humanity" posed by climate change.
Guterres delivered his speech at a time when crucial preparations for the annual World Climate Conference (COP29) were underway in Bonn. At COP29, efforts are being made to secure financial support for the wealthiest nations to assist the remaining countries in meeting their climate objectives.
