“We Absolutely Need To Act Immediately,” UN Chief Says

ANTARCTICA – Ahead of international climate talks, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited globally-important Antarctica, where ice that’s been frozen for millions of years is melting due to human-caused global warming, to send the message that “We absolutely need to act immediately.”

At the annual conference of the parties, known as COP, nations are supposed to strengthen commitments to addressing climate change. But so far these have not been nearly enough to slow global warming, caused by greenhouse gas emissions that result from the burning of fossil fuels.

Guterres described COP28 which begins next week in Dubai, as an opportunity for nations to “Decide the phase-out of fossil fuels in an adequate time frame” to prevent the world from warming 1.5 degrees celsius (2.7 degrees fahrenheit) above pre-industrial temperatures.

Scientists consider that an important demarcation to avoid devastating climate extremes for millions of people.