Big polluters must cut emissions or risk global catastrophe, says UN chief

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned at the Pacific Island Forum that without drastic emission cuts by major polluters, the world faces a looming climate disaster.

Katy Watson reports for BBC.


In short:

  • The Pacific region is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including rising sea levels and ocean acidification.
  • Guterres emphasized the unfair burden on Pacific islands, which contribute little to climate change yet face its harshest consequences.
  • Australia’s continued reliance on fossil fuels was criticized, highlighting the global need for urgent emission reductions.

Key quote:

“The sea is taking the heat—literally.”

— António Guterres, UN Secretary-General

Why this matters:

Pacific Island nations, though least responsible for climate change, are most at risk. Their survival depends on global actions to curb emissions and address climate injustices.

Related EHN coverage:

A vineyard with purple grapes hanging on the vines

A Japanese Pinot Noir town blessed by climate change now worries about the weather

Climate change has helped make the small Japanese town of Yoichi the toast of Pinot Noir connoisseurs. But farmers fret that recent rapid gains in temperatures and potentially more rain during harvesting could mean it will become difficult to grow the grape here.
Two men in gray hoodies and blue jeans picking strawberries in a farm field

Extreme heat is making toxics even more dangerous to farmworkers, study says

Extreme heat can exacerbate the impacts of some toxics on the kidneys, according to a University of Arizona study published this month in the journal Environmental Research.

Scuba divers exploring a damaged coral reef.

Planet’s first catastrophic climate tipping point reached, report says, with coral reefs facing ‘widespread dieback’

Unless global heating is reduced to 1.2C ‘as fast as possible’, warm water coral reefs will not remain ‘at any meaningful scale’, a report by 160 scientists from 23 countries warns.

aerial photography of grass field with vast rows of solar panels.

As Trump rants against clean energy, the rest of the world zooms past the U.S.

U.S. politics are undercutting clean energy at the same time economics are propelling it forward globally. Can the U.S. afford to sit this out?
a close up of the tail lights and exhaust pipes of a car.

Carmakers face key trial in UK lawsuits, decade after 'dieselgate' scandal

Some of the world's biggest carmakers are facing a pivotal trial at London's High Court on Monday, with lawyers representing 1.6 million claimants accusing them of cheating diesel emissions tests, a decade on from Volkswagen's 'dieselgate' scandal.
brown field near mountain under blue sky during daytime

Trump administration’s revised approval process threatens to scuttle giant NV solar complex

The Trump administration cancelled its review of a massive joint solar project in Nevada that would have added up to be one of the largest continuous solar farms in the world – at least as it was envisioned. 
a courtyard with tables and chairs lit up at night.

After Spain's blackout, misinformation about renewable energy thrived

When millions lost power in Spain and Portugal this spring, some were quick to blame too much solar and wind power. That wasn't the cause, but the misinformation had an impact.
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.