When the world is taking a pause, when most are at home or taking a breather from what supposed to have been a busier life yet halted by COVID19 pandemic, we are now thinking of more ways to lessen the pollution.
Global warming continues to happen even when we’re not looking. According to a United Nations report, we only have less than a decade to prevent the irreversible damage of climate change. “We are the last generation that can prevent irreparable damage to our planet,” the report said.
In a study conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2020 ranked as the second-hottest year on record for the planet.
“The average land and ocean surface temperature across the globe in 2020 was 1.76 degrees Farenheit above average — just 0.04 of a degree Farenheit cooler than the 2016 record,” the report said.
There are two viable solutions to this problem: practice zero-carbon shipping or learn how to reduce emissions from our refrigerators.
2021 must be the year for climate action – “the make it or break it year,” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres at the launch of WMO’s report on the State of the Global Climate 2020 which highlighted accelerating climate change indicators and worsening impacts.
“This is a frightening report. It needs to be read by all leaders and decision-makers in the world,” Mr Guterres told journalists.
“This report shows that 2020 was also another unprecedented year of extreme weather and climate disasters. The cause is clear. Anthropogenic climate change — climate disruption caused by human activities, human decisions and human folly,” he said.
Mr Guterres joined WMO Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas in releasing WMO’s trademark report, which includes input from national meteorological services, UN partners and the broader climate and scientific community.
The report is accompanied by a story map showing details of key climate indicators, including record greenhouse gas concentrations, increasing land and ocean temperatures, sea level rise, melting ice and glacier retreat and extreme weather. It also highlights impacts on socio-economic development, migration and displacement, food security and land and marine ecosystems.
UN News story is here
Climate Indicators storymap is here
Digital assets and copies of the report and press release are here
Recording of press conference by UNTV is here
Jeoff Solas 