Era of global boiling

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his speech at the UN Headquarters, delivered a stark warning: “The era of global warming has ended, and the era of global boiling has arrived.”

Despite the undeniable reality of climate change, there remains room for optimism. The Secretary-General emphasised, “We can still stop the worst.” He called upon world leaders, particularly urging those from the G20 leading industrial nations, who are responsible for almost 80 per cent of global emissions, to step up for climate action and climate justice.

Considering the recent global climate crisis, the term “global boiling” accurately encapsulates the severity of the situation. Recent climatic data highlights a distressing escalation of these events, as evidenced by an unprecedented and devastating heatwave that affected South Asia during April and May 2023. This event shattered national temperature records in countries like Thailand, Vietnam and Laos, underscoring the gravity of the issue. Furthermore, July 2023 has been officially designated as the hottest month ever recorded in the past 120,000 years. During this month, the average temperature surged a remarkable 1.5°C beyond pre-industrial levels, emphasising the urgent need for decisive and all-encompassing actions to address this escalating climate crisis.

Alarmingly, the Group of 20 (G20) countries, responsible for approximately 80 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, currently demonstrate climate plans projecting a 10 per cent increase in global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. This trajectory starkly contrasts with the urgent action required to mitigate climate change. The UN highlights the necessity for a 45 per cent reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 to limit warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. The UN Secretary-General emphasised that commitments to net-zero emissions cannot be mere public relations exercises. Achieving net-zero emissions necessitates significant strengthening of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by governments, particularly the largest emitters, with immediate, bold steps to reduce emissions.

Pakistan, like numerous other nations, is highly vulnerable to the impacts of global boiling. Despite being a ‘fractional emitter’ (less than 1%), Pakistan is ranked as the fifth most vulnerable country to climate change according to the Global Climate Risk Index. The effects of climate change in the country encompass rising temperatures, extreme weather events, water scarcity, food insecurity, glacier melt, flooding and coastal vulnerability.

In response to this threat, the Government of Pakistan has taken a proactive step by publicly announcing the country’s first National Adaptation Plan 2023, unanimously approved by the federal cabinet. The plan outlines a commitment to reduce emissions by 2030 and proposes 10 essential guidelines, including integrating climate adaptation, evidence-based decision-making, promoting nature-based solutions and addressing inequity.

Pakistan has further fortified its climate resilience by implementing policies and legislation such as the National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Plan 2023, National Climate Change Policy, and Net Zero Targets. However, more action is necessary to ensure a sustainable future. Investments in adaptation, renewable energy, reforestation, resilient infrastructure, water conservation, disaster preparedness and circular systems are critical components of the strategy to mitigate the effects of global warming.

To confront the accelerating global climate boiling crisis, the imperative to transition into a net-zero world demands urgent and comprehensive action on a global scale. The responsibility falls heavily on the highest emitters of the world. In the face of this crisis, former UN Climate Chief, Christiana Figueres, notes: “Impossible is not a fact, it’s an attitude.” This challenges the notion that addressing climate change is insurmountable, urging a shift in mindset to drive ambitious climate action and foster a sustainable future.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30^th, 2023.

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