UN chief likens humans to meteor that killed dinosaurs; calls fossil fuel sector ‘godfathers of climate chaos’
UN Chief Antonio Guterres file photo
The UN Secretary-General delivered a hard-hitting at the American Museum of Natural History on June 5, World Environment Day.
He discussed the status of the climate, the risks that world leaders are taking, and what industries and nations, especially the G7 and G20, must do in the upcoming 18 months to preserve humanity's prospects of a habitable future.
According to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, humanity's contribution to the planet's catastrophic warming is comparable to the meteorite that killed out the dinosaurs.
"Like the meteor that wiped out the dinosaurs, we're having an outsized impact," Guterres said. "In the case of climate, we are not the dinosaurs. We are the meteor. We are not only in danger. We are the danger."
According to a report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), there is an 80 per cent chance that the annual average global temperature will briefly exceed 1.5°C over pre-industrial levels for at least one of the next five years.
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Delhi Consumer Court fines Indian Railways Rs 25,000 for making RAC passengers share one blanket
)
Who is Ruchika Singh, booked for using foul language against PM Modi at Jantar Mantar protests?
)
60,000 migrants from Morocco flood Spain's Ceuta, EU calls influx unacceptable, Trump warns US
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
)
More than 100 Israeli soldiers walk out of base, chant slogans in an 'act of rebellion' | Watch
)
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Match Card: Night 1 & Night 2 schedule, main events & full lineup
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
Pakistan Broad Peak avalanche: Body of US's Mallory Geis identified; Nirmal Purja, 9 others remain missing
)
Pakistan avalanche: Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja confirmed dead
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet the next gen of South Cinema: From Rajinikanth's grandson to CM Vijay's son, star kids ready for debut
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Fifth-generation fighters': Can the S-400 shoot down an F-35?
)
Indian govt clarifies foodgrain use for ethanol production, says 'E20 saved ₹30/litre on petrol prices' during global oil shock
)
NEET Protests riddled with misinformation? Delhi Police blocks 480 Pakistan-based handles spreading 'fake news' since Operation Sindoor
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 openers with fastest ODI centuries, check who tops list
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why are iPhones so expensive compared to Android phones?
)
Mysterious structures uncovered beneath the Amazon show millions of humans once lived here
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters in latest ICC ODI rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
)
Jared Leto controversy: Dylan Sprouse's old tweet resurfaces amid sexual assault allegations
)
Salman Khan enters Alliance to support brother, Sohail, netizens hail, 'tomorrow’s episode is going to be MASSIVE'
)
‘Satanic’ chainsaw-wielding rescue bot leaves internet divided: ‘Those eyes are horrifying’
)
Massive explosion at Moscow restaurant kills at least 3; woman suspected of carrying bomb
)
Are you an Indian on an H-1B visa? New US bill could make getting Green Card easier
)
US offers $15mn reward to dismantle alleged IRGC drone funding network
)
Ariana Grande's Petal video fuels debate as fans voice concern over her appearance
)
Have 7,000 Karnataka students tested positive for HIV? Here's the truth
)
Kim Kardashian shares sweet moment with boyfriend Lewis Hamilton during summer vacation
)
Buying Russian oil could cost India dearly? MEA breaks silence on US 100% tariff bill
)
'Delimitation designed to disenfranchise Tamil Nadu': Rahul Gandhi urges parties to oppose Bill
)
Hrithik Roshan reacts to 'sorry Hrithik' trend, Kangana Ranaut slams him, mentions Saba Azad: 'You are in a committed relationship'
)
Nearly Rs 29 crore cash, 15 kg gold found at ex-bus driver's house in West Bengal
)
German anatomist 'Dr Death's' family to grant his creepy last wish
)
At least 3 killed in mass shooting at Idaho restaurant, shocking video of gunman open firing with AR-style rifle surfaces
)
‘US is locked and loaded’: Trump calls off Iran attack but sets THESE conditions
By early 2025, signatory nations to the Paris Agreement will need to submit revised objectives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“We are playing Russian roulette with our planet,” said Mr Guterres. “We need an exit ramp off the highway to climate hell. And the good news is that we have control of the wheel. The battle to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees will be won or lost in the 2020s – under the watch of leaders today.”
Guterres also slammed the fossil fuel sector, calling it the "Godfathers of Climate Chaos." He also chastised advertisers for acting as "enablers" in allowing fossil fuel firms to postpone climate action.
"Stop taking on new fossil fuel clients, from today, and set out plans to drop your existing ones," he warned "Mad Men fuelling the madness."
He also asked all countries to prohibit advertising from fossil fuel companies, as they have done for "products that harm human health like tobacco."
The UN chief reiterated the need for "solidarity levies" on the shipping and aviation industries in addition to calling for a tax on the profits of fossil fuel firms to fund the battle against global warming.
Guterres also asked that wealthy nations phase out coal by 2030 and cut oil and gas usage by 60 per centby 2035. He urged wealthier countries, who have historically been more responsible for carbon emissions, to increase climate help to poorer, more vulnerable countries.
(With inputs from agencies)
