In 2025, global leaders and prominent figures have emphasized the urgent need for decisive climate action following the extreme temperatures experienced in 2024. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned that humanity is "on a highway to climate hell with our foot still on the accelerator," underscoring the immediacy of the crisis. Former U.S. President Barack Obama described climate change as the defining issue of the century, highlighting that it is no longer a distant problem but a current reality. Environmental advocates including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Mark Ruffalo stressed the life-or-death stakes and the inability to escape the effects of global warming through financial means alone. The Dalai Lama called for collective responsibility to contribute to a better future despite irreversible past damage. Other voices such as Desmond Tutu and Al Gore urged individuals to cease supporting corporations and entities that deny or finance climate change. Christiana Figueres pointed out that climate change poses one of the largest long-term risks to investments. Additionally, Angela Merkel emphasized that climate change transcends borders and requires international cooperation for sustainable development. The discourse reflects a broad consensus on the necessity for immediate and comprehensive measures to mitigate climate catastrophe.
“Climate change knows no borders. It will not stop before the Pacific Islands and the whole of the international community here has to shoulder a responsibility to bring about sustainable development.” Angela Merkel https://t.co/LqnlO3lrjS
“We don’t have time to sit on our hands as our planet burns. For young people, climate change is bigger than election or re-election. It’s life or death.” Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez https://t.co/rbKFjV6iRT
"We have 500 days to avoid climate chaos.” Laurent Fabius 2014 https://t.co/nzyVn9h9jY