UN Secretary-General Guterres Calls for Action on Extreme Heat Amid El Niño

United Nations Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres urged immediate action to curb the impacts of an intensifying El Niño‑driven heat wave. Referring to a World Meteorological Organization forecast, he warned that record‑breaking heat domes, wildfires, and unprecedented sea‑surface temperatures are expected, with above‑average heat projected across most of the planet by October.

Guterres highlighted the risk to public health and urged governments to adopt four priority measures: protect vulnerable populations, ensure safe working conditions, construct and retrofit buildings for heat resilience, and avoid actions that worsen the climate crisis. He called for heat‑health action plans, early‑warning systems, expanded access to sustainable cooling, and revised work‑hour standards. The Secretary‑General also warned that approving new fossil‑fuel projects will amplify future heatwaves and endanger communities worldwide.