On December 2nd local time, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a speech at Columbia University, calling for action to curb global warming. “The state of the earth is worrisome, and people are fighting against nature, which is no different from suicide,” Guterres said.
In 2020, there will be frequent hurricanes and wildfires around the world, and greenhouse gases caused by fossil energy will further increase. According to a report by the World Meteorological Organization, the average temperature this year has increased by 1.2 degrees compared with the end of the 19th century. In addition, at the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, a warning line for climate warming was set, that is, 1.5°C higher than at the end of the 19th century. According to the World Meteorological Organization, 20% are likely to reach this cordon by 2024.
Guterres said that more than 100 countries have committed to achieving carbon neutrality by the middle of this century. Guterres also called on the countries concerned to stop funding the fossil energy industry and fulfill their annual commitment to fund $100 billion for developing countries to develop renewable energy.
Guterres also said that without the participation of the United States, the world cannot overcome the problem of global warming. He called on American students and people from all walks of life to do everything in their power to force the U.S. government to take practical action to combat climate warming.
