The head of the UN’s meteorological agency has expressed concern that the world is still not taking the necessary steps to combat climate change, despite rising greenhouse gas concentrations and extreme weather events. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported that three main greenhouse gases reached new record levels in 2022, with carbon dioxide concentrations 50 percent higher than the pre-industrial average. The agency warned that these escalating levels are putting the world on track to exceed the targets set in the Paris Agreement, leading to more extreme weather events and rising sea levels.
The WMO Secretary-General emphasized the urgent need to reduce fossil fuel consumption, as the UN prepares for its annual climate summit in Dubai. The organization is expected to push for a phase-out of fossil fuels by 2050, but major carbon-emitting countries have not made sufficient progress in reducing their emissions. The WMO also highlighted the long-term impact of carbon emissions, stating that it takes thousands of years for carbon to be removed from the atmosphere, contributing to trends such as sea level rise.
The bulletin released by the UN weather agency also pointed out that about half of the planet is experiencing increased flooding events, and one third is facing more frequent droughts. With 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions coming from the G20, urgent action is needed to reduce fossil fuel consumption and mitigate the impact of climate change.