The world has entered a new and alarming phase of climate change as global temperatures continue to rise, leading to what the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has aptly termed the "era of global boiling."
The scorching temperatures that July 2023 has brought have broken records, and scientists warn that this month is set to be the hottest ever recorded. As the mercury climbs, so does the urgency for immediate and dramatic climate action.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the EU’s Copernicus Earth observation program have confirmed the relentless surge in global temperatures, attributing it to the burning of fossil fuels and the greenhouse effect. Humanity is now facing extreme weather events on a scale that poses a significant threat to lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems worldwide. The evidence is unequivocal - humans are to blame.
"The air is unbreathable, the heat is unbearable, and... the level of inaction is unacceptable." - Secretary General António Guterres
The call for climate action is not new, but the situation has become more urgent than ever. The need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is now a must, and leaders worldwide must act decisively. Guterres stresses that climate action is not a luxury but a necessity.
Climate scientists warn that if we don't act swiftly to curb greenhouse gas emissions, we will continue to face even deadlier and more frequent extreme weather events. The longer we delay taking action, the more frequent and severe these conditions will become.
Yet, despite the dire situation, there is a glimmer of hope.
Could climate inaction have reached a tipping point?
The global effort to transition away from fossil fuels and embrace renewable energy sources has shown progress, albeit not fast enough. The robust rollout of renewables and some positive steps from sectors like shipping are commendable, but they fall short of what is required to avert catastrophic climate change.
World leaders have a crucial opportunity to make a difference at the United Arab Emirates meeting in November, where they will discuss strategies to prevent further planet heating, adapt to extreme weather events, and provide financial support for damage mitigation.
One of the central challenges is breaking free from the grip of the oil era. The fossil fuel industry has been a dominant force in global economies, but its negative impact on the climate has become undeniable. Transitioning to cleaner energy sources is not just inevitable but also essential for the survival of our planet and future generations.
There are voices of reason emerging, even from within the oil industry. The president of the Cop28 summit and head of the United Arab Emirates' national oil company, Sultan Al Jaber, acknowledges that phasing down fossil fuels is both inevitable and essential. The urgency to plan and cooperate in this transition cannot be underestimated, and financial support must be scaled up to ensure a smooth shift away from fossil fuels.
The International Energy Agency's roadmap to net-zero emissions highlights the need to halt the approval of new oil and gas fields, yet some governments have granted licenses for more drilling.
However, amidst the alarming warnings and dire predictions, there are voices and actions that offer hope and direction in the fight against climate catastrophe. One such voice is Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, who speaks candidly about the urgent need for climate action and the inability to wait for people like former President Donald Trump and "knucklehead" to understand the gravity of the situation. The time for action is now, and that action begins with voting against climate deniers and leaders who refuse to address the climate crisis. 
"We don't have the luxury of allowing these people to destroy the planet", says Governor Inslee
The urgency of the climate crisis is further underscored by Christiana Figueres, who has long advocated for cooperation with the oil and gas industry to achieve a sustainable future. However, recent trends in the industry's behaviour have changed her perspective.
"Their unprecedented profits over the past year have shown their unwillingness to adapt. It’s now D-Day for them," says Figueres.
Despite unprecedented profits, many oil companies are not prioritizing meaningful decarbonization efforts. Instead, they are cutting back on commitments, paying out higher dividends to shareholders, and exploring new sources of fossil fuels.
So, if fossil fuel won't adapt to a climate-positive future, we need to focus our attention on those industries and policymakers who are.
And the momentum for renewable energy is undeniable, as the world is witnessing exponential growth in clean energy investments. For every dollar invested in fossil fuels, $1.7 is now going into clean energy projects.
Solar energy is projected to attract more capital than oil production this year, and greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector are expected to fall for the first time as renewables continue to gain market share.
Consumers are also benefiting from significant savings, as wind and solar energy help keep electricity prices down. In other words, the world is moving against fossil fuels, we just need to increase our momentum towards a green, renewables-based future.
Balancing the planet on a knife's edge
The era of global boiling is upon us, and there is no room for hesitancy, excuses, or waiting for others to act. The time for accelerated climate action is now, and the decisions we make in the coming years will determine the future of our planet.
Let us embrace renewable energy, support sustainable practices, and protect the environment for the sake of current and future generations. We still have time to turn the tide and ensure a liveable future for all.
Which is exactly why business leaders and climate activists have come together to sign the We Can Do It pledge to put pressure on governments and businesses to move away from a fossil-driven economy.
If the events of the last month alone are any indication, too, we don't have the luxury of time to wait. So, make sure you check out our pledge, sign, and share it, so we can expedite the end of the fossil fuel era.
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41 w
We all need to work as an individual first then as a group and stop making excuses
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41 w
We can all agree that the time is neigh.No excuses,just action
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41 w
Meh
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41 w
Countries need to have policies that stop industries from exploring new sources of fossil fuel.
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41 w
Every one should take a bold step towards the environment
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41 w
Everyone needs to act then the society as we go up strong and united to save our planet
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41 w
The society has to act swiftly and cooperate with climate measures put in place
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41 w
I really do hope so! What does it take for societies to wake up and change? Heat is definitely one thing. Happy to see Washington state showing leadership.
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41 w
Unfortunately, the term "era of global boiling" does not signal the end of the oil era; instead, all signals imply the opposite. It underscores the severity of climate change and global warming, predominantly driven by the continued reliance on fossil fuels. As global temperatures soar, the demand for cooling systems and air conditioning surges, leading to increased consumption of energy sources such as oil and natural gas. The "era of global boiling" is a profound reminder of the urgent need to shift away from fossil fuels, including oil, and embrace sustainable, renewable energy sources. It serves as a powerful call to action in addressing climate change and urges the world to adopt clean energy alternatives such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. By doing so, we can mitigate the devastating impacts of global warming and secure a sustainable future for our planet. However, in the short term, the outlook appears rather pessimistic. The recent approval of significant investments in oil and gas, totaling over $18 billion, by countries like Norway and the UK, coupled with a 2% increase in global oil demand in 2023, indicates the challenges we face in transitioning rapidly to cleaner alternatives. Amidst the climate chaos, the world's two major polluters, China, and the US, can't seem to agree on anything. Nonetheless, we must remain committed and proactive in advocating sustainable energy solutions and pressing companies, politicians, and investors to prioritize the urgent need to address global warming. Together, we can work towards a world where clean energy becomes the norm, combatting climate change and ensuring the well-being of future generations. #WeCanDoIt
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41 w
Global roasting, global burning, global grilling, I wonder what term will convince people to act 🤔 once again Antonio Guterres is being a great spokesperson for the Earth. We Don't Have Time
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41 w
This is the highest time people learnt that global warming is real. There should be immediate action with no fail. Let's save our planet 🌏
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41 w
No more hesitancy or excuses. The consequences are tragic we all need to join this call of change makers and demand for action now. Indeed time is not in our side, failure to that we will get ourselves to catch 22 situations, whereby all of us we will say, we got more than what we bargain for, sadly,maybe it will be too late.
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@patrick_kiash i strongly agree
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42 w
Climate is changing
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42 w
🙏🌍💚