The recent warnings from the UN Secretary General and Chief have made it clear that climate change is a dire threat to our planet’s habitability. Urgent action is needed to address this issue, and governments worldwide are being challenged to make 2023 a year of transformation in the fight against climate change.

The consequences of insufficient action to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius are severe. Extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, floods, wildfires, and famines will become more intense, increasing the risk of climate catastrophe. Low-lying countries and cities are particularly vulnerable to being submerged due to rising ocean levels caused by climate change.

It is our responsibility to take urgent action on climate change to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. The Future of Weather, Climate, and Water Across Generations theme calls for all to live up to this responsibility.

Developed nations must take the lead in a financial and technical revolution to reduce carbon emissions, shift to renewable energy sources, and build resilience to climate shocks. Failure to limit global warming increases systemic risks, reduces resilience against climate catastrophe, and brings us closer to devastation.

Governments have an obligation to address loss and damage impacting countries that are least able to cope. They must also lead the charge in reducing carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy, and building resilience. Only by fulfilling these obligations can we hope to create a sustainable future for ourselves and future generations.