The year 2020 brought a pandemic, social turmoil, and climate catastrophes— rightly concerning people about humanity’s future. This Wednesday, the UN, alongside the World Meteorological Organization, released a report on the state 2020’s climate. Here is a list of the shortcomings of this eventful year taken from the report
2020 is the third warmest year recorded in history.
The pandemic’s origin is zoonotic, a result of the destruction of habitats and biodiversity.
The world has already warmed 1.2 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times.
There has been heavy rain and floods in peripheral nations in Asia and Africa, raising global environmental inequalities.
The Arctic recorded a temperature of 100.4 F / 37Cdegrees this June.
2020hosted 30 storms in the Atlantic Ocean.
Although there has been a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions caused by the lockdown, the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has increased.
Emissions are 62% higher now than when international climate negotiations began in 1990.
According to the UN’s Environmental Program, the eight world’s largest fossil fuel producers plan to increase coal, oil, and gas production by 2 percent annually (including: USA, China, India, Australia)
The wealthiest nations (G20) produce more than 60% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions
These same nations have committed more money to producing and consuming fossil fuels ($233B) than to boosting renewables ($146B)for the post pandemic recovery.
Nations have been cooperating in drafting policies and advocating for sustainable practices to reduce emissions and waste. However, this is all smoke and mirrors—all talk and no action. Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has strongly encouraged governments to start acting instead of giving empty promises, because in his words: “The planet is broken.”
