Did you know that the top 10 hottest years on record have all occurred in the last decade? And experts are already predicting that 2024 will likely be the hottest year ever recorded. With climate change becoming more urgent by the day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres is calling for immediate action in his end-of-year message – and he’s not holding back.
Guterres warns that we are facing a climate crisis in real-time and we need to act fast. He urges countries to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the shift to renewable energy by 2025 to secure a safer future. It’s a daunting task, but it’s necessary and achievable.
Unfortunately, the recent COP29 climate conference ended in failure, with governments failing to commit to meaningful change. This lack of action could lead to more lives lost and livelihoods destroyed by natural disasters in the coming years.
Despite the challenges ahead, giving up is not an option. Every small step towards reducing global warming can make a difference. The Paris Agreement sets a goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels, but even surpassing that target by just a fraction of a degree can have significant consequences.
As we look towards 2025, Guterres remains hopeful that we can come together to create a better future for all. It’s not about division, but unity in the face of a common threat. Let’s make 2025 a year of new beginnings, working towards a more peaceful, equal, and sustainable world for generations to come.
