Climate collapse is a reality we face today. Global temperatures hit record highs during the northern hemisphere summer, according to observations from Europe’s Copernicus observatory. The announcement prompted a reaction from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said our climate is imploding faster than we can handle it.
Scientists have long been sounding the alarm about the consequences of our addiction to fossil fuels. Unfortunately, extreme weather events are on the rise across the globe, hitting every corner of the planet. Heat waves, droughts, floods and devastating fires ravaged Asia, Europe and North America this summer, causing considerable human loss and economic damage.
This year’s summer broke all heat records ever. The global average temperature reached 16.77 degrees Celsius, exceeding previous years’ averages and setting a new record. July 2023 was even the hottest month on record. According to Copernicus, if the trend continues, 2023 could become the hottest year in history.
This alarming observation is reinforced by the studies carried out by Copernicus, which revealed that the last three months are the hottest that the planet has known for approximately 120,000 years. These data, based on past climate reconstructions, highlight the urgency of acting to combat climate change.
It is obvious that global warming is primarily caused by human activity and our continued reliance on fossil fuels. If we do not take drastic measures to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and to promote an energy transition towards renewable sources, we are heading towards a future marked by increasingly extreme climatic events. It is our duty to preserve our planet for future generations.
The time has come to take action. We must invest heavily in clean energy, promote sustainable mobility, reduce our energy consumption and adopt sustainable agricultural practices. Every little gesture counts, and it is together that we can make a difference.
It’s time to wake up and realize our impact on the climate. Climate collapse cannot be reversed overnight, but there is still time to limit the damage and build a more sustainable future