UN climate chief calls for action after hurricane wrecks his grandmother’s home

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🗞️ Driving the news: Simon Stiell, head of the UN's climate change convention, called for urgent climate action after Hurricane Beryl destroyed his grandmother's home on Carriacou
• The hurricane, the earliest category five storm on record in the Atlantic, caused extensive damage, with 98% of buildings on the island severely affected

🔭 The context: Stiell emphasized that the devastation seen in Carriacou reflects a global pattern of climate-induced disasters
• He highlighted that the G20, responsible for 80% of greenhouse gas emissions, must lead with robust climate plans to prevent such destruction

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Stiell's call underscores the escalating costs of climate inaction, emphasizing the need for immediate transition away from fossil fuels
• He warned that recurring disasters trap countries in debt cycles, diverting funds from essential services like education and health

⏭️ What's next: Governments must deliver new, ambitious climate plans early next year, focusing on reducing fossil fuel dependence
• Without significant action, the economic and social impacts of climate disasters will continue to escalate globally

💬 One quote: “If governments everywhere don’t step up, every economy and 8bn people will be facing this blunt force trauma head on, on a continuous basis.” — Simon Stiell

📈 One stat: Initial reports indicated that 98% of homes and buildings on Carriacou were destroyed or severely damaged by Hurricane Beryl

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