Science Weekly ‘We must change course’: a stark climate warning from the UN chief
9 snips
Nov 4, 2025 
Jon Watts, Global Environment Editor at The Guardian, interviews António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, about the urgent climate crisis. Guterres warns that humanity is at risk of overshooting the critical 1.5°C limit and advocates for immediate course correction. They discuss the vital role of Indigenous voices in climate action and the impact of rising political populism on climate negotiations. Watts also highlights innovative proposals like the $125 billion Tropical Forests Forever initiative aimed at protecting forests and supporting Indigenous communities.
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1.5C Target Has Been Missed
- António Guterres says we have failed to avoid overshooting 1.5C and must accept that reality.
- He urges changing course urgently to make any overshoot smaller and shorter-lived.
Every Fraction Of A Degree Counts
- Guterres and Jon Watts stress every fraction of a degree of warming matters for people and species.
- The COP process has had mixed results but still reduces harm versus a 'free for all'.
Keep Multilateral Talks Alive
- António Guterres warns against abandoning multilateral COP talks despite their flaws.
- He urges continued collective action to avoid a privileged few protecting themselves while others suffer.