Big cities will be flooded if we don’t act now

Concretely, this means major cities are under water, unprecedented heat waves, terrible storms, widespread water shortages and the extinction of 1 million plant and animal species.

So far, governments and companies with high emissions have not simply turned a blind eye; They add fuel to the fire by continuing to invest in climate-damaging industries. Scientists warn that we are already dangerously close to turning points that could lead to cascading and irreversible climate effects.

The new IPCC report comes at a time of exceptional global political and economic turmoil that has further threatened efforts to tackle climate change.

Energy prices skyrocketed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, prompting several nations to increase fossil fuel production. In the long run, that only makes things worse.

Leaders who claim to protect their populations by doubling down on fossil fuel use are doing the exact opposite: they are throwing their populations to the wolves of energy insecurity, price volatility and climate chaos.

The IPCC report lays out a healthier, safer approach that would put the world back on track by adopting renewable solutions that offer green jobs, energy security and greater price stability.

This report is a blueprint to bring us back to the 1.5 degree pledge made by nearly 200 nations in Paris and announced on April 27 COP26 Meeting in Glasgow, Scotland last November.

We left Scotland with a naïve optimism based on new promises and commitments. But the main problem – the hugely growing emissions gap – has been all but ignored.

The science is clear. To keep the 1.5 degree limit within reach, we need to cut global emissions by 45 percent this decade. But current climate pledges would mean a 14 percent increase in emissions. And most major issuers are not taking the necessary steps to fulfill even these inadequate promises.

For this reason, this latest IPCC report focuses on mitigation – the reduction of emissions. It highlights viable, financially sound options in each sector.

First and foremost, we need to triple the speed of the transition to renewable energy. That means shifting investment and subsidies from fossil fuels to renewable energy — now. Renewable energies are already cheaper in most cases.

It means governments are ending funding for coal, not just abroad but domestically as well. Funding for all forms of coal mining, manufacturing and power generation everywhere must be halted.

To help major emerging economies make this transition, I have championed climate coalitions made up of developing and developed countries, multilateral development banks, private financial institutions and companies with the technical know-how to help.

We all have a role to play in the green energy transition. Young people, civil society and indigenous communities are among those who have stood up, sounded the alarm and held leaders accountable. We must now build on their work to create a global grassroots movement that no one can ignore.

I make a direct appeal to everyone who cares about our planet and our future: Make your voice heard wherever decisions are made – in political debates, communities, boardrooms and at the ballot box.

Demand an end to coal-fired power generation. Call for the rapid expansion of renewable energies. I will be following up on the net zero promises of personal finance later this year. Coal phase-out promises need to be backed up by comprehensive plans, with no exceptions and no loopholes, and backed by action.

The decisions that governments make today will determine the future of reaching the 1.5 degree limit. A shift to renewable energy will fix our broken global energy mix and bring hope to millions already suffering the effects of climate change.

Climate promises and plans must now be put into practice. It’s time we stop burning our planet and start investing in the abundant renewable energy around us.

Antonio Guterres is Secretary-General of the United Nations