Daily Times

After last month was formally registered as the second-warmest September in a year that would be remembered for its abnormal climate and frequent severe weather events, an extraordinary October is setting a new record for itself.

Although the sweltering heat should have been enough to knock some sense about the apocalyptic situation no longer a distant phenomenon but a breathing reality, a new report by the UN cautioned that the world is heating up much faster than what the scientists believed.

Without tangible action, we could face a massive temperature increase of 3.10C this century, which would mean deadly heatwaves and biblical floods becoming the new routine. In the coming decade, the biggest global risk is expected to arise from extreme weather events rather than from armed conflicts or social divisions.

Of course, ideally, that would mean governments from around the world paying heed to shrill alarm bells and working together to fulfil their respective responsibilities. Yet, other than the celebrated climate summits where our leaders have developed a habit of spouting a lot of hot air, there is little talk of owning their obligations to protect humanity.

Despite the mounting evidence and urgent pleas from environmental activists, world leaders have failed to take meaningful steps to combat global warming. This lack of action has led to a situation where the planet is on the brink of irreversible damage, with severe weather events, rising sea levels, and loss of biodiversity becoming increasingly common. More worryingly, oil company bosses may prefer to preach a message of business as usual.

We’ve heated our planet by 1.10C so far, and we’re feeling the effects on so many levels, not least an increase in extreme weather and rising sea levels.

From devastating wildfires in Australia to melting ice caps in the Arctic, the impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly severe and widespread. If we do not heed the warning and take action now, we will be faced with a future marred by food and water shortages and mass displacement of populations. *