Current:Home > StocksUN chief gives interview from melting Antarctica on eve of global climate summit -Dynamic Money Growth
UN chief gives interview from melting Antarctica on eve of global climate summit
View
Date:2025-04-11 18:35:26
KING GEORGE ISLAND, Antarctica (AP) — On the eve 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 climate change, to send the message that “we absolutely need to act immediately.”
“What happens in Antarctica doesn’t stay in Antarctica,” Guterres said. In addition to reflecting lots of sunlight away from the Earth, Antarctica regulates the planet’s climate because its ice and cold waters drive major ocean currents. When massive amounts of ice melt, it raises sea levels and changes things like salinity and the habitats of ocean animals.
At the annual Conference of the Parties known as COP, nations are supposed to gather to make and strengthen commitments to addressing climate change, but so far these have not been nearly enough to slow the emissions causing the warming.
Guterres is on a three-day official visit to the southern continent. Chilean President Gabriel Boric joined him for an official visit to Chile’s Eduardo Frei Air Force Base on King George Island. Scientists and members of the Chilean military gathered with Guterres aboard a ship where they viewed glaciers and sea birds, including penguins.
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 have considered that an important demarcation that could have avoided devastating climate change for millions of people. But such a phase-out has not found its way into the agreements that emerge from these conferences so far and the influence of fossil fuel companies and countries has been strong.
Guterres said the COP28 conference also gives nations the chance to commit to more renewable energy projects and improve the energy efficiency of existing electrical grids and technologies.
Sultan al-Jaber, the head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, is president of this year’s talks and the U.N. chief said his ties to the sector give him a “bigger responsibility” to encourage the fossil fuel industry to make more clean energy investments.
“He needs to be able to explain to all those that are responsible in the fossil fuel industry, and especially to the oil and gas industry that is making obscene profits all over the world, that this is the moment to use those profits instead of doubling down on fossil fuels,” Guterres said.
Pope Francis will also be the first pontiff to attend the U.N. climate conference and Guterres said he is “very hopeful” the pope’s presence will convey to political leaders that “it is a moral imperative to put climate action as an absolute priority and to do everything that is necessary to move from the suicidal trajectory that we are having today.”
___
O’Malley reported from Philadelphia.
___
Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP’s climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
veryGood! (493)
prev:Travis Hunter, the 2
next:Average rate on 30
Related
- How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
- What if we gave our technology a face?
- How Saturday Night Live's Chloe Fineman Became Friends with Anna Delvey IRL
- Strut Your Stuff At Graduation With These Gorgeous $30-And-Under Dresses
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- John Shing-wan Leung, American citizen, sentenced to life in prison in China
- 11 Women-Owned Home Brands to Cozy Up With During Women’s History Month (And Beyond)
- Silicon Valley Bank and the sordid history of 'Palo Alto'
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Gisele Bündchen Recalls Challenging Time of Learning Tom Brady Had Fathered Child With Bridget Moynahan
Ranking
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Twitch star Kai Cenat can't stop won't stop during a 30-day stream
- Wind energy powered the U.K. more than gas this year for the first time ever
- If ChatGPT designed a rocket — would it get to space?
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- Thousands urged to evacuate, seek shelter as powerful Cyclone Mocha bears down on Bangladesh, Myanmar
- Tech Layoffs Throw Immigrants' Lives Into Limbo
- Gisele Bündchen Recalls Challenging Time of Learning Tom Brady Had Fathered Child With Bridget Moynahan
Recommendation
The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
RuPaul's Drag Race Top 5 Give Shady Superlatives in Spill the T Mini-Challenge Sneak Peek
That panicky call from a relative? It could be a thief using a voice clone, FTC warns
Bruce Willis and Demi Moore's Daughter Tallulah Willis Weighs in on Nepo Baby Debate
The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
Turkey election results put Erdogan ahead, but a runoff is scheduled as his lead isn't big enough
She was denied entry to a Rockettes show — then the facial recognition debate ignited
Alix Earle Teases New Romance 3 Months After Tyler Wade Breakup