UN Secretary-General urges major polluters to act during visit to Pacific Islands vulnerable to sea level rise

UN Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking at the Pacific Island Forum, warned that major polluters must urgently cut emissions to avoid global catastrophe, as rising sea levels threaten vulnerable Pacific islands. He emphasised the injustice faced by these small nations, which contribute little to climate change but suffer its worst effects. Guterres criticised international financial systems for failing to support these communities, while highlighting the need for major emitters, especially G20 nations, to meet their responsibilities and limit global warming to 1.5C. He stressed that without significant emission reductions, catastrophic outcomes like ice sheet collapse are imminent. (BBC News)