'Era of global boiling has arrived': July declared hottest month on record

By India Today Environment Desk: In a stark warning to the world, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres declared that the era of global warming has ended and we have now entered an "era of global boiling."

This alarming statement comes as scientists confirm that July 2023 is on track to be the hottest month ever recorded in human history.

"Climate change is here. It is terrifying. And it is just the beginning," Guterres stated. He emphasised that while it is still possible to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, this would require immediate and dramatic climate action.

The past three weeks have been the hottest since records began, with global temperatures shattering previous records.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the EU's Copernicus Earth observation programme attribute this unprecedented heat to the burning of fossil fuels, which has led to violent weather patterns.

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July's scorching temperatures have been so extreme that scientists predict this month will be the warmest globally on record.

The WMO and Copernicus Climate Change Service announced that Earth's temperature has temporarily surpassed the internationally accepted goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Although this threshold has been breached before, it has never occurred in July.

Guterres highlighted the urgent need for swift political action to combat this escalating crisis. "Humanity is in the hot seat," he said. "For vast parts of North America, Asia, Africa, and Europe, it is a cruel summer. For the entire planet, it is a disaster. And for scientists, it is unequivocal – humans are to blame."

He called out the unacceptable levels of fossil fuel profits and climate inaction, urging leaders to take decisive steps without delay.

"The air is unbreathable, the heat is unbearable, and the level of fossil fuel profits and climate inaction is unacceptable. Leaders must lead. No more hesitancy, no more excuses, no more waiting for others to move first. There is simply no more time for that."

Despite some progress, such as the robust rollout of renewables and positive steps from sectors like shipping, Guterres stressed that these efforts are not going far enough or fast enough.

"Accelerating temperatures demand accelerated action," he warned, underscoring the urgency of the situation. As the world continues to grapple with the devastating impacts of climate change, the call for immediate and dramatic action has never been more critical.