In Sharm el-Sheikh on the Red Sea, the UN Secretary General warns that humanity is about to lose the fight of its life. The Paris climate targets are seriously threatened.
At the world climate conference in Egypt, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned in grim words about the catastrophic consequences of global warming. “We are on the road to climate hell – with our foot on the gas,” Guterres said in a speech to dozens of heads of state and government in Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday. “We are fighting the fight of our lives – and we are about to lose,” he warned, referring to droughts, floods and storms.
By the end of next week, representatives from around 200 countries in Egypt will be discussing how global warming can be contained to a tolerable level. The world already warmed by about 1.1 degrees before the industrial revolution in the 19th century.
Guterres said the target agreed in Paris in 2015 of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees was in grave danger. The Portuguese called for a “climate solidarity pact” between rich countries and emerging and developing countries. The United States and China are particularly responsible for this. In terms of quantity, both countries emit the most climate-damaging greenhouse gases – mainly carbon dioxide and methane. Literally, he said, “Humanity has a choice: work together or perish!”
Al-Sisi: “One catastrophe after another”
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said there were high expectations for good results. “Millions of people around the planet are watching us.” The consequences of climate-related weather events are more devastating than ever. “We’ve seen one disaster after another. Once we deal with one disaster, another one comes – wave after wave.” The earth turned into a “world of suffering”.
Confederation President Alexander Van der Bellen went to COP27 with mixed feelings. In view of the insufficient or poorly implemented results of previous climate summits, optimism “is not easy – but necessary,” Van der Bellen said on Monday at the conference site in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. “Where else should these negotiations take place? The UN is the only global platform we have.”
US President Biden expected on Friday
In Sharm el-Sheikh there are very high security measures. US President Joe Biden plans to attend on Friday. Russian President Vladimir Putin is not expected. 45,000 participants are registered at the Red Sea site. The conference – already the 27th summit, therefore, COP27 – is expected to last two weeks. COP27 President Samih Schukri warned that all climate protection measures must be taken on a common basis.
African Union President Macky Sall described the meeting as an opportunity “to make history or become a victim of history”. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on Twitter: “We face many challenges, but climate change is the biggest.” COP27 is about fulfilling promises made. “We must do everything we can to keep 1.5 degrees within our reach.”
Al Gore: War shouldn’t be an excuse
Former US Vice President Al Gore has warned that the war in Ukraine should not be an excuse to stick with climate-damaging fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal. The Nobel Peace Prize winner spoke of a “culture of death”. However, efforts to reduce greenhouse gases are insufficient. “We have a credibility problem – all of us here.”
Environmentalists warned rich industrialized countries against negotiating new gas supplies with African states during the conference. Many gas lobbyists are expected in Sharm el-Sheikh. Representatives from Powershift Africa, Greenpeace and the Climate Action Network warned that the meeting could degenerate into a “green wash” festival.
(APA/dpa)