Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro delivered a dire warning at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, cautioning that humanity is rapidly advancing towards extinction unless drastic measures are taken to redesign the way humans live. Petro painted a harrowing picture of the consequences of inaction, stating that the “crisis of life” has already begun.
Petro lamented the fact that humanity has been “dedicated to war,” which has diverted attention and resources away from development goals and climate change, the latter of which he referred to as “the mother of all crises.” He emphasized that the global leadership has seemingly made enemies with life, and that the current trajectory will lead to catastrophic consequences.
According to Petro, the migration of climate refugees is already a reality, and he warned that the number of such refugees will reach three billion in the coming half-century. He also predicted that his country, Colombia, which is currently covered in lush forests, will transform into a desert, causing its people to migrate in search of water. Petro emphasized that the allure of wealth will no longer be sufficient to attract people, as they will be driven by the vital necessity of possessing a fundamental resource.
Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro. (Via Gustavo Petro./Twitter)
Petro has been a vocal advocate for combating climate change, criticizing oil-producing nations for continuing to drill for fossil fuels while claiming to support a green transition. He has urged nations to abandon fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy sources. His message has resonated globally, as concerns about climate change and its devastating impact on the environment continue to grow.
In a heartfelt plea, Petro concluded his address by expressing his desire for his three grandchildren to live in a world that is free from the threat of apocalypse and times of extinction. He wants them to inherit a world where humanity has learned to coexist with the planet and has ceased its destructive tendencies, respecting cultural diversity and expanding the “virus of life” throughout the universe. Petro’s words serve as a stark reminder of the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for collective action to prevent a catastrophic outcome.
