UNO: Humanity unfortunately under "Epidemic of extreme heat
This is "halfway to the tipping point," said the UN Secretary-General, calling for measures to limit the effects of increasingly frequent heatwaves caused by climate change. The world must "face the challenge of rising temperatures," said Guterres, particularly urging action from the G20 countries. The UN Secretary-General also reminded of the deaths of over 1000 pilgrims during the Hadj in Saudi Arabia in June.
According to the EU Earth Observation program Copernicus, the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd of July 2024 were the three hottest days ever recorded globally, with the 22nd holding the absolute record at an average temperature of 17.16 degrees Celsius.
2023 was the warmest year since records began. 2024 could again become a record year, with temperatures frequently exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.
"We are focusing on the effects of extreme heat today," said Guterres on Thursday. "But we must not forget that there are many other devastating symptoms of the climate crisis: increasingly violent storms. Floods. Droughts. Forest fires. Rising sea levels. And the list goes on," he said.
To combat these "symptoms," the disease must be fought, said Guterres. The disease was "the madness of burning our only home," the addiction to fossil fuels, and inaction on climate protection.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), the number of workers exposed to excessive heat is increasing worldwide. The increase has been the strongest in Europe and Central Asia in the past 20 years, according to a report released on Thursday.
A total of over 70% of all workers were exposed to excessive heat in 2020, significantly more than in 2000. This percentage in Europe and Central Asia is still lower than in Africa (92.9%), the Arab states (83.6%), the Asia-Pacific region (74.7%), and North and South America (70%).
However, the climate in Europe has warmed up twice as fast since the 1980s compared to the global average, as the UN and Copernicus reported last year.
According to the report, people in regions not accustomed to extreme heat are confronted with threats they may not be prepared for.
- The UN Secretary-General warned about the world being "halfway to the tipping point" of an epidemic, referring to the escalating heatwaves caused by climate change.
- Guterres urged Central Asia and other G20 countries to take immediate action against the rising temperatures, as the epidemic poses a significant threat.
- In New York, Guterres stressed the need to combat the symptoms of climate change, which include epidemic-like heatwaves, severe storms, and droughts.
- The UN recognized the UN Secretary-General's call, emphasizing the importance of combating the "disease" of fossil fuel addiction and inaction on climate protection.
- António Guterres highlighted the increasing number of workers affected by excessive heat, with Europe and Central Asia experiencing the strongest increase in the past two decades.
- According to the report by the ILO, over 70% of all workers worldwide were exposed to excessive heat in 2020, with Europe and Central Asia having a lower percentage compared to other regions.
- Guterres also warned that people in regions not accustomed to extreme heat, such as Europe, may not be adequately prepared for the ensuing threats.
- The UN and Copernicus reported that Europe has seen temperatures rise twice as fast since the 1980s compared to the global average, thereby increasing the vulnerability to epidemic heatwaves.
