UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on global leaders to rise to the challenge of rising temperatures, as the world marks its hottest recorded day.
Responding to his words, Champa Patel, Climate Group's Executive Director of Governments and Policy said:
"Governments everywhere are struggling with extreme heat powered by the continued burning of fossil fuels. Anyone who's experienced this heat knows how terrifying it is. From the impact it has on people's health, education, the economy, women and migration among other things, this new reality is increasingly looking like the new normal in many places.
"States, regions and cities can - and do - play a crucial role with adaptation and mitigation measures on a local level. But we need governments to work together and at scale to make the difference. We must collectively double down on climate commitments now: cutting emissions, and helping communities adapt, for example through better ways of conserving water and having a global approach to climate change. Time really is running out."
