The UN Under-Secretary-General lives throughout the planet during a period of fires and floods, primarily affecting fragile and vulnerable populations in both rich and poor countries. Amina Mohammed told a high-level meeting on climate action.
Speaking via video message Dialogue on Accelerating Adaptation Solutions ahead of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), the UN’s annual air conference to be held in Glasgow in November, the UN deputy chief noted the already visible effects of the 1.2-degree rise.
“Worlds and populations around the world – especially those most vulnerable and least responsible for the air crisis – are experiencing even more devastating consequences,” he warned.
“Impacts are reflected through economies, communities and ecosystems, eliminate development gains, deepen poverty, increase migration and increase tensions,” he added.
With “bold and determined steps” towards a zero-level world economy by 2050, Mohammed said the world can still limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.
“Acting now is a matter of justice for climate change. And we have solutions,” he said, calling for a “massive expansion of investment” in adaptation and resilience, stressing the potential for simplification and easing of rules for poor countries, especially in Africa.
Less than 80 days into COP26, the UN deputy chief urged participants to “act boldly now for the people and the planet before it is too late.”
Source: ANI / Xinhua