Secretary-General: There's still time to avoid the worst of climate catastrophe

Today’s assessment from the World Meteorological Organization is clear: Global heating is a cold, hard fact. 

We have just endured the hottest decade on record – with 2024 topping the list, and likely to be the first calendar year with a global mean temperature of more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. 

Individual years pushing past the 1.5 degree limit do not mean the long-term goal is shot. It means we need to fight even harder to get on track. 

Blazing temperatures in 2024 require trail-blazing climate action in 2025. 

Specifically, governments must deliver new national climate action plans this year to limit long-term global temperature rise to 1.5°C, and support the most vulnerable deal with devastating climate impacts. 

There's still time to avoid the worst of climate catastrophe. But leaders must act – now. 

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