UN Chief Warns World on 'Verge of the Abyss' as WMO Releases Climate Report

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Monday that humanity stands "on the verge of the abyss" as the climate crisis pushes the world "dangerously close" to hitting the 1.5 degree Celsius target limit of warming.

Guterres delivered the ominous remarks at the launch of the World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) State of the Global Climate report--a publication he said "should alarm us all."

2020 was one of the three warmest years on record, coming in 1.2degC above pre-industrial times, and the past six years have been the warmest years on the books, the report says. The publication also calls attention to heat records in the Arctic, such as the 38degC on June 20 in Verkhoyansk, which marked the highest recorded temperature north of the Arctic Circle.

What's more, despite coronavirus pandemic-related shutdowns in 2020, concentrations of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide continued to climb.

Further global climate indicators in 2020 noted in the report include extreme events like "very extensive flooding" in parts of Africa, severe drought in parts of South America, extremely large wildfires, including the biggest ever seen in California and Colorado, and an above average number of tropical storms.

Continuing ocean acidification and deoxygenation were also observed in 2020, and more than 80% of the ocean area had at least one marine heatwave in the year. Also, for just the second time on record, Arctic sea-ice extent minimum after the summer melt was covered less than 4 million square kilometers.

"All key climate indicators and associated impact information provided in this report highlight relentless, continuing climate change, an increasing occurrence and intensification of extreme events, and severe losses and damage, affecting people, societies, and economies," said WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas.

In light of such trends, Guterres said "our challenge is clear."

"To avert the worst impacts of climate change, science tells us that we must limit global temperature rise to within 1.5 degrees of the pre-industrial baseline," said Guterres, referring to the Paris climate accord's more ambitious target of limiting warming.

"That means reducing global greenhouse gas emissions by 45% from 2010 levels by 2030 and reaching net zero emissions by 2050," he said.

Unfortunately, Guterres continued, "We are way off track."

He added that 2021"must be the year for action" and the next 10 years "a decade of transformation."

To make that happen, Guterres called on governments to take actions including switching fossil fuel subsidies to renewable energy subsidies, preventing the construction of new coal power plants, and richer nations supporting climate finance for the developing world.

"This is truly a pivotal year for humanity's future," said Guterres.

WMO released its report just before U.S. President Joe Biden hosts a two-day virtual climate summit to which 40 world leaders were invited.

By the time the gathering begins Thursday, the U.S. "will announce an ambitious 2030 emissions target as its new Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement," the White House said.

Scientists and climate advocacy groups have urged Biden to set a target of slashing emissions by 50%--or more--below 2005 levels by 2030.

The Associated Pressreported Monday that a 50% reduction target from the White House was likely. As CNBCnoted, however, that "would fall behind commitments by the U.K. and European Union, which have pledged to reduce emissions by 68% and 55% by 2030."

Climate and social justice groups has urged Biden to go well beyond a 50% reduction goal in order to "advance an equitable, just and ambitious climate agenda at home and abroad."

Friends of the Earth U.S. president Erich Pica said in a statement earlier this month that Biden "has made an unprecedented commitment to environmental justice and frontline communities, a commitment which must extend beyond U.S. borders. This requires the U.S. to do its 'fair share' of the global effort, consistent with it being the world's largest economy and greatest historical emitter of greenhouse gases."

"A fair share that prioritizes the safety and well-being of the most vulnerable in both the U.S. and in developing countries requires the U.S. to cut domestic emissions 70% from 2005 levels by 2030 and provide international finance to enable the equivalent of an additional 125% reductions in developing countries."

"This is the yardstick by which we will measure President Biden's soon-to-be unveiled Nationally Determined Contribution," said Pica.