UN chief warns of unimaginable climate catastrophe due to rising sea levels and urges global action to address the crisis

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned of a crisis of an "unimaginable scale" caused by greenhouse gases and rising sea levels. He specifically highlighted the Pacific island nations, which are in "grave danger" due to rising sea levels. According to Guterres, sea-surface temperatures in the south-west Pacific have risen three times faster than the global average since 1980. This has led to unprecedented global sea-level rise, as noted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Guterres emphasized that big polluters have a clear responsibility to cut emissions and save the Pacific islands from the devastating effects of climate change. He also stated that the Pacific is the most vulnerable area of the world, with its population uniquely exposed to the impacts of rising sea levels and ocean temperatures.