The following is a written statement from UN Climate Change Executive Secretary on the glacial collapse and flooding in the Himalayan region. The statement was also posted on the Executive Secretary's LinkedIn page.
The catastrophic glacial collapse in the Himalayan region, with so many lives lost in an instant, is absolutely heartbreaking. My thoughts are with everyone affected, especially those who have lost loved ones.
The sudden glacial collapse and flash flood is a devastating reminder of how fragile these mountain environments can be, particularly in the Hindu Kush Himalayas. For years, scientists local communities have been warning that the Hindu Kush Himalayas are at huge risk from climate change.
We also know a warming climate, driven by humanity burning colossal amounts of coal, oil and gas, is making tragedies like this one, and so many others around the world, much more likely, frequent and severe, with vulnerable communities often hardest hit.
But the solutions to global heating are equally clear - especially a faster global shift from fossil fuels to renewables and more investment in climate resilience.
