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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a forceful call to combat climate disinformation on Wednesday, just weeks ahead of the upcoming COP30 summit and in the wake of controversial statements by U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently dismissed climate change as “the greatest con job ever.”
Speaking at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) headquarters in Geneva, Guterres emphasized the critical importance of scientific integrity in addressing climate challenges. “We must fight mis- and disinformation, online harassment, and greenwashing,” Guterres declared. “Scientists and researchers should never fear telling the truth.”
The Secretary-General’s remarks come at a time of heightened tension in global climate discourse, particularly following Trump’s speech at the United Nations in New York last month. During that address, the Republican president not only championed fossil fuels but also derided renewable energy sources, calling them “a joke” and claiming they “don’t work” and are “too expensive.”
Trump’s administration has actively worked to dismantle clean energy initiatives, including the recent implementation of legislation that eliminates tax credits for renewable energy projects. The former and potentially future president also described the concept of carbon footprints as “a hoax made up by people with evil intentions.”
In direct contrast to these claims, Guterres presented a different economic and technological reality. “Almost all new power capacity came from renewables” in 2024, he noted, highlighting the surge in investment in sustainable energy sources. “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 UN chief’s defense of climate science comes as the WMO celebrates its 75th anniversary. The organization is currently spearheading an initiative to ensure all countries are covered by extreme weather early warning systems by 2027, a critical adaptation measure in a warming world.
Guterres painted a stark picture of the current climate situation: “Global warming is pushing our planet to the brink. 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 Secretary-General emphasized that climate impacts disproportionately affect vulnerable nations, particularly “small island developing states and the least developed countries,” which “pay the highest price” despite contributing least to the problem.
Looking ahead to COP30, scheduled for November 10-21 in the Brazilian Amazon city of Belem, Guterres urged nations to develop robust climate action plans that address the root causes of climate disasters. “By November’s UN Climate Conference in Brazil, countries must deliver bold new national climate action plans that align with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius,” he stated.
These plans must include specific commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the next decade, he added, emphasizing that “much greater ambition is required” than what has been proposed thus far.
The upcoming COP30 summit is viewed as a critical juncture for global climate action, particularly as it will be held in Brazil’s Amazon region, often referred to as the “lungs of the planet” for its crucial role in carbon sequestration and biodiversity preservation.
Guterres’ call for evidence-based climate policy comes at a pivotal moment, with the world continuing to experience record-breaking temperatures and extreme weather events. His defense of climate science underscores the growing divide between scientific consensus and political rhetoric in some corners of the global stage, raising questions about the path forward for international climate cooperation.
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10 Comments
While I generally support the UN’s position, I’m concerned about the potential for overreach in policing speech, even on important issues like climate change. Careful balance is needed to protect free expression.
That’s a fair point. Any efforts to combat disinformation must be done in a way that upholds democratic principles and avoids suppressing legitimate debate. Transparency and due process are crucial.
Climate disinformation is a serious threat that undermines efforts to address the global crisis. The UN Secretary-General is right to call for action against those spreading false narratives and obstructing progress.
Agreed. Robust scientific integrity and open dialogue are essential to finding solutions. Censorship or intimidation of researchers is unacceptable.
Kudos to the UN for taking a strong stance against climate disinformation. Renewable energy skeptics like Trump need to be challenged with facts, not allowed to spew dangerous falsehoods unchecked.
Agreed. It’s alarming how some political leaders continue to dismiss climate science for short-term gain. We must hold them accountable and empower citizens with accurate information.
The UN’s push to combat climate misinformation is a critical step. Fossil fuel lobbies have long sought to sow doubt and confusion, hindering the transition to renewable energy. We need facts, not political spin.
Absolutely. The stakes are too high to allow disinformation to derail climate action. Policymakers must prioritize evidence-based policies, not rhetoric that serves narrow interests.
While I appreciate the Secretary-General’s call, I’m skeptical about how effective it will be. Entrenched interests have deep pockets and influence. Combating climate disinformation requires a multi-pronged, sustained effort.
You raise a fair point. Overcoming well-funded disinformation campaigns will be an uphill battle. But giving up is not an option – we must persist in defending scientific truth.