Urgent Global Action Required to Combat Climate Change During COP29
Global organizations warn about intensifying climate change ahead of COP29 in Baku, emphasizing urgent action needed due to record greenhouse gas emissions. The WMO reports alarming CO2 levels and highlights extreme weather events linked to climate change. Nations are urged to set stronger climate commitments to prevent severe temperature increases, with China promoting early warning systems and cooperation in climate adaptation.
Global organizations are raising urgent concerns regarding the escalating climate crisis in advance of COP29, the 29th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change, taking place from November 11 to 22 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Reports released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) emphasize the necessity for heightened action from all sectors to effectively combat climate change.
According to the WMO’s Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, greenhouse gas emissions reached a record high in 2023, with levels of CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide surpassing pre-industrial benchmarks by 151 percent, 265 percent, and 125 percent respectively. The pace at which carbon dioxide accumulates in the atmosphere has accelerated dramatically, increasing by 11.4 percent in just two decades. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo remarked, “Another year, another record…Every part per million and every fraction of a degree temperature increase has a real impact on our lives and our planet.”
A troubling study by the World Weather Attribution highlights the connection between global warming and extreme weather events, noting that the ten most severe meteorological disasters since 2004 correlate directly with climate change. In October, for instance, Spain experienced catastrophic flash floods attributed to significant rainfall linked to the “cold drop” phenomenon, emphasizing climate change’s unpredictable and harmful effects, as pointed out by hydrology expert Jesse Neumann.
The Paris Agreement stipulates that countries should present enhanced nationally determined contributions (NDCs) by 2025. The UNEP’s 2024 Emissions Gap Report warns that failing to seize the opportunity at COP29 to establish robust NDCs could lead to global temperature increases of 2.6 to 3.1 degrees Celsius this century, resulting in severe impacts on human lives, the environment, and economies. UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen urged countries to mobilize unprecedented global action in the pursuit of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, stating, “I have urged the international community to step up action on climate change…”.
China, as the world’s largest developing country, is actively enhancing its climate response strategies, demonstrated by the introduction of its Action Plan on Early Warning for Climate Change Adaptation (2025-2027) during COP29. The increasing frequency of extreme weather calls for improved early warning systems and climate adaptation capabilities. Liu Zhenmin, China’s climate envoy, expressed the nation’s commitment to controlling methane and other pollutants and called for constructive dialogue with the U.S. on climate issues.
UN climate chief Simon Stiell highlighted the importance of establishing a new climate finance target during COP29, which is crucial for all nations, including the more affluent countries, underlining the necessity for cooperative global efforts toward mitigating climate change.
The ongoing climate crisis poses significant challenges globally, necessitating collective action from nations across the world. As the impacts of climate change become increasingly severe, organizations like the WMO and UNEP are stepping up to emphasize the urgent need for decisive action. The upcoming COP29 conference serves as a critical platform for world leaders to set ambitious targets and strengthen commitments to combat climate change effectively. The alarming rise in greenhouse gas emissions and its correlation with extreme weather events further underscores the precarious state of the global climate, demanding immediate and sustained efforts to avert catastrophic consequences.
In summary, the alarm sounded by global organizations regarding the escalating climate crisis highlights the need for immediate, collective action. The alarming levels of greenhouse gas emissions documented in recent reports, the devastating impact of weather disasters, and the urgency for enhanced climate commitments at COP29 underline the critical juncture at which the world stands. It is essential that countries heed these warnings to ensure a sustainable and safe future for the planet and its inhabitants.
Original Source: www.stdaily.com
