UN Chief Warns of New Era of Climate Extremes at COP31 in Turkey

During the ongoing United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Turkey, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the world is entering a new era characterized by extreme climate events. He urged global leaders to take immediate action to combat climate change.

Guterres highlighted that a strong El Niño weather pattern is combining with the ongoing effects of human-induced climate change. He called on leaders to cut greenhouse gas emissions more quickly, transition away from fossil fuels, and provide financial support to countries that are most vulnerable to climate impacts.

The warning comes as the UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported that 2026 is on track to be one of the hottest years recorded, continuing a trend of rising global temperatures. Each of the last 12 years has ranked among the hottest ever, and this year’s El Niño is expected to exacerbate these conditions.

WMO chief Celeste Saulo stated that the current El Niño could lead to even more extreme weather next year, suggesting that 2027 might also break temperature records. The average global temperature from January to September 2026 was about 1.47 degrees Celsius higher than pre-industrial levels.

Additionally, the WMO reported alarming trends such as rising sea levels and diminishing freshwater supplies. In 2025, ice loss was significant enough to fill five Olympic-sized swimming pools every second. Despite these challenges, the WMO noted an increase in countries adopting early warning systems for extreme weather, growing from 55 in 2015 to 136 last year.

As discussions continue at COP31, the UN emphasizes the need for greater investment in climate observation and forecasting systems to better prepare for and respond to climate-related disasters.