Guterres Urges Fossil Fuel Phase-out
Image Credit: UN news
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a resounding call to swiftly phase out the use of fossil fuels in order to prevent an impending climate catastrophe. Guterres emphasizes the urgency of this transition, highlighting the dire consequences of inaction in the face of accelerating climate change.
Guterres underscores the imperative of shifting away from fossil fuels, as their continued usage significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbates the global climate crisis. He emphasizes that time is of the essence, as the window of opportunity to limit global warming to manageable levels is rapidly narrowing.
The UN Chief draws attention to the potential catastrophic consequences of unchecked climate change, including extreme weather events, rising sea levels, biodiversity loss, and threats to human livelihoods and ecosystems. By phasing out fossil fuels and transitioning to clean and renewable energy sources, Guterres believes we can mitigate the worst impacts of climate change and create a sustainable future for generations to come.
In his call to action, Guterres also acknowledges the need for support and investment in developing countries to facilitate their transition to renewable energy and adapt to the changing climate. He stresses the importance of global cooperation, urging governments, businesses, and civil society to work together in implementing ambitious climate action plans and fulfilling the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Guterres’ appeal aligns with the growing consensus among scientists and experts that a rapid shift away from fossil fuels is essential to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, a critical threshold for avoiding catastrophic impacts.
Re-reported from the story originally published in UN News
