Arshad Shaikh reports on the latest speech of the UN Secretary General related to climate change. New data from the EU and the WMO shows the frightening pace of global warming. The world needs to take immediate, dramatic and decisive climate action to slow down and stop the effects of climate change. It is a case of now or never.
On July 27, 2023, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres gave a speech warning that the world is on the brink of a climate catastrophe. He said that the era of global warming has ended, and that we are now in the era of “global boiling”.
Guterres’s speech was based on new data released by the European Union (EU) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), which showed that July 2023 was set to be the hottest month on record. The data also showed that the past seven years have been the warmest seven years on record, and that the rate of climate change is accelerating.
Guterres said that the consequences of climate change are already being felt around the world, in the form of more extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and melting glaciers. He warned that without urgent action, the effects of climate change would become even more severe, leading to widespread food shortages, mass displacement, and the extinction of many species.
“The air is unbreathable,” Guterres said. “The heat is unbearable. And the level of fossil fuel profits and climate inaction is unacceptable.” He urged global leaders to act promptly in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and making a transition towards a clean energy economy. The UN Secretary-General also urged them to help countries that will be most affected by the effects of climate change. “Leaders must lead,” Guterres said. “No more hesitancy. No more excuses.”
THE SCIENCE AND THE NEED FOR ACTION
Over the past century, the Earth’s average temperature has been steadily increasing, with the rate of warming now accelerating. This warming is an outcome by human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat, causing the Earth to warm.
Climate change is already having noticeable impacts worldwide, as evidenced by an increase in extreme weather events like heat waves, droughts, floods, and wildfires. Sea levels are rising, and glaciers are melting. These changes are having a devastating impact on people and the environment. The ocean is getting warmer, and the Central Equatorial Pacific Ocean is changing from a cool La Niña phase to a warm El Niño phase. This was expected to result in higher temperatures compared to the last three years.
However, the actual temperatures have been exceptionally high, causing extreme weather events like intense heat in China, wildfires in Greece, and scorching temperatures in the United States’ Southwest. In India, heavy rains and flooding occurred due to both the monsoon and the warmer air holding more moisture. The good news is that it is still possible to limit the effects of climate change. If the world takes urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the worst-case scenarios can be averted. However, the world needs to act now. The longer we wait, the harder it will be to prevent catastrophic climate change.
Greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced in a number of ways. The transition to renewable energy sources, like solar and wind power should be prioritised. We can improve energy efficiency in our homes and businesses. Additionally, we can decrease our dependence on cars by choosing alternatives such as walking, biking, or using public transportation. The transition to a clean energy economy will not be easy. It will require a significant investment of time and money. However, the cost of inaction will be much higher. If we do not take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we will face the consequences of climate change for generations to come.
FRIGHTENING POSSIBILITIES AND PATH FORWARD
The latest IPCC AR6 tells us that the space to avert an ecological calamity is shrinking fast and that things are far worse than we ever thought. In the next few decades, food insecurity, poverty, diseases, and ill health will worsen. It is estimated that around 40% of the world’s population is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Many parts of the world, specifically in the continent of Africa may become uninhabitable. Mass annihilation of flora and fauna has already begun. In economic terms, the world may lose 10% of total economic value from climate change by 2050 if net-zero targets are not met. Asia, Africa and the Middle East stand to lose more than a fourth of their GDP by 2050. In comparison, the global economy reduced by 5% due to the COVID-19 pandemic and by 1% due to the 2008 global financial crisis.
Climate migration is one of the key negative externalities of climate change. It is estimated that by the middle of this century, up to 32 million would be forced to migrate in just West Africa itself. Currently, India experiences wet-bulb temperatures of 25-30°C. However, this could change for the worse very fast and many parts of North India and Coastal India may see wet-bulb temperatures of 31°C and may even reach the non-survivable limit of 35°C. The impact this can have on heat-wave linked deaths and reduced productivity will be enormous.
The IPCC report says that 35 million people in India could face annual coastal flooding by 2050 with Mumbai being in the high-risk category for sea-level rise and flooding. The path forward is clear. We need to take urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a clean energy economy. It is essential to offer financial support to countries that are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
This is a challenge that we can only meet if we work together. Governments, businesses, and individuals each have a part to play in addressing this issue. We need to come together and act now to prevent catastrophic climate change. The future of our planet depends on it. Despite the worrying climate predictions, there is still hope to limit global temperature rise to 1.5° C and avoid the worst impacts of climate change. This requires urgent and significant action.
GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE MUSLIM UMMAH
The Qur’ānic verse – “Corruption has spread on land and sea as a result of what people’s hands have done” (30:41) can be inferred today as referring to the extensive man-made ecological damage that is threatening our very existence. Calculations show that those who grab 10% of global income are responsible for half of the carbon pollution emitted by households while the top global 1% is responsible for pollution that is 30 times above the sustainable limit for 2030. Together, this group emits as much as the poorest 4.75 billion people in the world.
But this disproportionate share in global carbon footprint is also because of the acquiescence of the world to the diktats of neo-liberal capitalism and its philosophy of consumerism and utility-maximisation driven by enormous debt through a usurious speculative and unstable financial system. It is time for the Muslim Ummah to take the lead in promoting the alternative worldview of Islam about moderation in saving and consumption.
If people change their consumption behaviour and turn “green”, market forces will be forced to alter their business strategies accordingly. Governments will not act until they are forced by the people. The first step is to create a billion-strong team of green-crusaders and biodiversity warriors. The Muslim Ummah is most qualified to become that team. Islam can become the game-changer for rewriting the code red for humanity.