Another month of record-breaking temperatures has left scientists at a loss for words to describe the situation. Zeke Hausfather from the Berkeley Earth climate data project summed it up as “gobsmackingly bananas.” September 2022 was the hottest September ever recorded, following the hottest August and July. The temperature increase of 0.5C surpassed the previous September record, marking the largest jump in temperature on record.
In the UK, the disruption caused by these soaring temperatures has been relatively mild compared to other parts of the world, thanks to a wet summer and pleasantly warm autumn days. However, the occurrence of floods, fires, and exceptionally high temperatures is becoming increasingly frequent. The recent overflow of Lhonak Lake in India and the wildfires and scorching heat in Tenerife serve as the latest emergencies.
The countdown to the upcoming round of UN climate talks in Dubai, starting in late November, has begun. Pope Francis issued an update to his 2015 encyclical, urging Catholics worldwide to recognize that “the world in which we live is collapsing” and calling for a change in the “irresponsible” western lifestyles. Over 80 countries are advocating for a fossil fuel phaseout to be included in the Cop28 agenda. However, notable leaders such as Joe Biden and Xi Jinping were absent from a recent summit convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in New York last month.
As Mr. Guterres has cautioned, oil companies and states are actively lobbying against efforts to shut down their operations. Saudi Arabia’s substantial investment in football is part of a strategy to increase its influence and silence opposition. Saudi Aramco, a predominantly state-owned company, recorded the largest-ever profit of $161 billion (£134 billion) among oil and gas firms last year.
While the actions of oil companies and petrostates are concerning, the actions of governments in wealthy nations have yet to align with their rhetoric on achieving net-zero emissions. Even now, as scientists express their astonishment at the latest data, there is no guarantee that greenhouse gas emissions will cease to rise by 2025, which experts believe is essential to limit temperature increases to 1.5C.
Under Rishi Sunak, the UK’s ambitions have waned. Last month, commitments to phase out petrol cars and gas boilers were watered down, and ministers at the party’s conference resorted to inflammatory language to stoke public fears about the affordability of decarbonization. Unfortunately, other governments also lack significant engagement on this issue. Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown went further than any current leader of a major Western state by proposing a windfall tax on oil and gas revenues from countries with substantial deposits. It is no surprise that governments in some of the poorest and most vulnerable countries, which are least responsible for global heating, are furious.
As Pope Francis emphasized, “we can still hope.” While the high temperatures are alarming, responsible politicians can use them to generate momentum for an accelerated transition towards a greener future.
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