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UN Chief Calls for Fight Against Climate Disinformation Ahead of COP30
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a powerful call to combat climate disinformation on Tuesday, following recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump dismissing climate change as “the greatest con job ever.”
Speaking at the World Meteorological Organization headquarters in Geneva, Guterres emphasized the critical importance of scientific integrity in addressing climate issues. “We must fight mis- and disinformation, online harassment, and greenwashing,” he stated. “Scientists and researchers should never fear telling the truth.”
The UN chief’s remarks come in apparent response to Trump’s controversial speech at the United Nations in September, where the Republican president championed fossil fuels and criticized renewable energy technologies. During that address, Trump declared climate change a “hoax made up by people with evil intentions” and dismissed renewable energy sources as ineffective and too expensive.
Guterres directly contradicted these claims, pointing to concrete evidence of renewable energy’s growth. “Almost all new power capacity came from renewables” in 2024, he noted, highlighting surging investments in the sector. “Renewables are the cheapest, fastest and smartest source of new power. They represent the only credible path to end the relentless destruction of our climate.”
The timing of Guterres’ statements is significant, coming just weeks before the COP30 climate summit scheduled for November 10-21 in Belem, Brazil. This high-profile meeting in the Amazon will be a crucial opportunity for countries to present updated climate action plans aligned with limiting global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
“Global warming is pushing our planet to the brink,” Guterres warned, citing alarming statistics about record-breaking temperatures. “Every one of the last 10 years has been the hottest in history. Ocean heat is breaking records while decimating ecosystems. And no country is safe from fires, floods, storms and heatwaves.”
The UN leader emphasized that climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable nations, particularly small island developing states and least developed countries, which often bear the heaviest burdens despite contributing least to the problem.
Looking toward COP30, Guterres called for countries to develop “bold new national climate action plans” with specific commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the next decade. “Much greater ambition is required,” he insisted.
The exchange between Guterres and Trump highlights the growing political polarization surrounding climate policy. While scientific consensus overwhelmingly supports the reality of human-caused climate change and its severe consequences, some political figures continue to question or deny these findings.
The World Meteorological Organization, which hosted Guterres’ speech, will mark its 75th anniversary in 2025. The organization is leading international efforts to ensure all countries have access to extreme weather early warning systems by 2027—a practical goal that underscores the importance of scientific data in protecting communities from climate impacts.
As the COP30 summit approaches, the clash between scientific evidence and political rhetoric presents a significant challenge for international climate negotiations. Guterres’ call to fight disinformation reflects growing concern that misleading claims about climate science could undermine global cooperation at a critical moment for environmental policy.
The upcoming Brazilian summit will test nations’ willingness to strengthen their climate commitments despite political headwinds. With renewable energy technologies continuing to advance and extreme weather events becoming more frequent, the stakes for effective climate action have never been higher.
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13 Comments
Kudos to the UN Chief for taking a strong stance against climate disinformation. Honesty and scientific integrity are essential as we tackle this critical global challenge.
It’s disheartening to see political leaders spreading misinformation about climate change. We need to heed the warnings of scientists and experts, not those with a vested interest in fossil fuels.
Exactly. Renewable energy is the future, and it’s time for all leaders to embrace this reality. Denying the evidence will only hamper our ability to create a sustainable future.
The UN Chief is absolutely right to call for action against climate disinformation. We must defend the integrity of science and ensure that policy decisions are based on facts, not political agendas.
It’s concerning to see political leaders dismissing well-established climate science. We should be listening to experts, not deniers, as we work to transition to clean, renewable energy sources.
Absolutely. Renewable energy has made tremendous strides in recent years, becoming more affordable and effective. We need to embrace these technologies, not cling to outdated fossil fuels.
I’m glad to see the UN Chief calling out the spread of climate misinformation. We need to ensure that policy decisions are grounded in facts, not political agendas or special interests.
Agreed. Renewable energy has become a cost-effective and viable solution. Dismissing it as ineffective or too expensive is simply denying reality.
Combating climate disinformation is crucial for our planet’s future. I’m glad to see the UN Chief taking a strong stance on this issue and defending the importance of scientific consensus.
Agreed. We need to listen to the experts and take urgent action to address the climate crisis, rather than dismissing it as a “hoax” or denying the evidence.
Fighting climate disinformation is a crucial step in addressing the global climate crisis. We must prioritize scientific consensus over political rhetoric and vested interests.
Combating climate disinformation is crucial. The scientific evidence is clear – we must take urgent action to address the climate crisis. Kudos to the UN Chief for speaking up and defending the integrity of climate science.
Agreed. Spreading misinformation only hinders our ability to enact meaningful solutions. We need to rely on facts, not political agendas, when it comes to the future of our planet.