Christopher Schuler, christopher.schuler@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC – In 10 days, charged with charting a path forward to avoid the worst effects of the climate crisis, global leaders will convene in Dubai for the United Nations Conference of Parties (COP) 28. At COP21, world leaders made history by agreeing to a treaty aimed at holding global average temperature well below two degrees celsius above pre-industrial levels. On Friday, Earth’s temperature climbed two degrees celsius above the pre-industrial average for the first time.
The urgent need for action has only been furthered by the release of the annual emissions gap report from the UN this morning. Among the findings, the report details that, unless humanity acts boldly, the world will blow past its Paris Agreement goals.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Ben Jealous released the following statement:
“The evidence before us once again shows that slow-walking the plan for the climate crisis through half-measures will not cut it—global leaders must do more. The UN report highlights the pivotal moment we are at in the fight to address climate change and protect the planet from the very worst of its effects, and it serves as a reminder to us all that the clock is ticking. World leaders must respond swiftly and meaningfully to enact policies that will further curb emissions and give us all a fair shot of meeting the goals agreed to in Paris. Negotiators at COP28 must meet the moment and come together in calling for a complete phaseout of fossil fuels. That is the best path forward to providing a livable planet for future generations.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.