A few days ago the official confirmation came: the summer of 2023 has been the warmest since there are records. The Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, said, regarding this data, that the era of warming has ended and the era of global boiling has begun. The data is not indifferent, nor does it affect everyone in the same way. Climate change aggravates inequalities, so responding to the climate emergency is also committed to more just societies. There are no more excuses not to do it.
Still with the image of the fires in Hawaii and Canada on the retina, does anyone believe that the floods in Greece or Libya do not impact the population or the GDP? Does anyone think that 32ºC in Buenos Aires in the middle of winter has no repercussions? That the increase in the frequency and severity of droughts can coexist with food security? Or that the damage caused by fires and extreme weather events is distributed equitably?
If we want peace and development we cannot ignore the great differences that persist in access to drinking water, clean energy sources and food. Nor the destruction and pain caused by floods, droughts or extreme events – for everyone, but particularly for those who are most vulnerable. Therefore, making decisions consistent with the climate reality with which we already live is essential to promote development, prosperity and opportunities.
These weeks we have seen how important it is to have observation, prevention, early warning and response capabilities based on civil protection systems to reduce the impact of climate change on human lives, critical infrastructure and natural capital. In less developed countries, the scarcity of resources makes their implementation difficult, which is why the United Nations asks that we work together so that the entire world has modern early warning systems by 2027.
It's not enough. At the same time, we must create the right environment to do away with fossil fuels as soon as possible and achieve climate neutrality.
The good news is that we can take advantage of the great opportunities of the energy and ecological transition to combat poverty and reduce inequalities.
Guaranteeing a net zero balance in emissions and poverty must be the objective of the United Nations agenda, promoting local and regional action as premises for social improvement and the consolidation of democracy. Food and water security, ecosystems and health are the main axes of climate change adaptation programs. Multiplying energy efficiency by two, renewables by three, and ensuring the end of fossil fuels, making the 1.5ºC scenarios of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) viable are the key pieces for success in decarbonization.
We must not neglect speed and equity in transformation processes. We must integrate solutions with national, regional and multilateral alliances. We are debating these matters these days at the United Nations Climate Week. No more excuses. Or does someone think that with the generalization of catastrophes like those of this summer, social peace and progress can be built? You can't even live.
