Highlighting the seriousness of the impact of climate change on the planet and its inhabitants, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for sustained action to meet the global challenge and ensure a peaceful and sustainable future for all, the UN News Center reported.
“The effects of climate change are dangerous and they are accelerating,” Guterres told a gathering of students, business leaders and academics at the New York University Stern School of Business.
“It is absolutely essential that the world implements the Paris Agreement [on climate change]–and that we fulfill that duty with increased ambition,” he underscored, recalling the ground-breaking agreement that entered into force last November.
The agreement calls on countries to combat climate change and intensify the actions and investments needed for a sustainable low carbon future, and to adapt to the increasing impacts of climate change.
It also aims to strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change and calls for scaled up financial flows, a new technology framework and an enhanced capacity-building framework to support action by developing countries.
Underlining that science behind climate change “is beyond doubt”, Guterres said.
“As the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change put it: ‘Human influence on the climate system is clear. The more we disrupt our climate, the more we risk severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts’,” he said.
US President Donald Trump has signaled he is ready to withdraw or dramatically alter the landmark Paris agreement ahead of an expected announcement this week, though he is still weighing a final decision amid new pressure from foreign governments, business leaders and members of his own party to remain committed to the carbon reduction pact.
In conversations with European leaders, western diplomats and aides during his first international trip, Trump indicated he was poised to honor his campaign commitments to either withdraw from the agreement altogether or make significant changes to the US carbon reduction goals that underpin its participation in the accord.
