STORY: Accelerating temperatures need accelerated action, says UN chief
DATELINE: July 28, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:42
LOCATION: UN Headquarters
CATEGORY: POLITICS/ENVIRONMENT
 
SHOTLIST:
1. various of press briefing room
2. various of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres walking to podium
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General
4. various of press briefing room
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General
6. various of press briefing room
7. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General
8. various of press briefing room
 
STORYLINE:
 
Humanity is in the hot seat, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday, underscoring the need to accelerate climate action.
 
Citing the latest data, Guterres told reporters that July 2023 has already seen the hottest three-week period ever recorded, the three hottest days on record, and the highest-ever ocean temperatures for this time of year.
 
Official data released Thursday by the World Meteorological Organization and the European Commission's Copernicus Climate Change Service confirmed that July 2023 is set to be the hottest month ever recorded in human history.
 
SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General
"We don't have to wait for the end of the month to know this. Short of a mini-Ice Age over the next days, July 2023 will shatter records across the board. According to the data released today, July has already seen the hottest three-week period ever recorded; the three hottest days on record; and the highest-ever ocean temperatures for this time of year. The consequences are clear and they are tragic: children swept away by monsoon rains; families running from the flames; workers collapsing in scorching heat. For vast parts of North America, Asia, Africa and Europe - it is a cruel summer. "
 
All this is entirely consistent with predictions and repeated warnings. The only surprise is the speed of the change, he said.
 
SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General
"The era of global warming has ended; the era of global boiling has arrived. The air is unbreathable. The heat is unbearable. And the level of fossil fuel profits and climate inaction is unacceptable. Leaders must lead. No more hesitancy. No more excuses. No more waiting for others to move first. There is simply no more time for that. It is still possible to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius and avoid the very worst of climate change. But only with dramatic, immediate climate action."
 
"Accelerating temperatures demand accelerated action," the UN chief said, outlining actions needed to cut emissions, adaptation, and finance.
 
Guterres said it is time for a global surge in adaptation investment to save millions of lives.
 
SOUNDBITE 3 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General
"Developed countries must present a clear and credible roadmap to double adaptation finance by 2025 as a first step towards devoting at least half of all climate finance to adaptation. Promises made on international climate finance must be promises kept. Developed countries must honor their commitments to provide 100 billion U.S. dollars a year to developing countries for climate support and fully replenish the Green Climate Fund."
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from UN Headquarters.
(XHTV)