The U.N. Admits Its 1.5-Degree Goal Is Dead. Now It Wants to Tax the Oil and Gas Americans Run On.

On his way out the door, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres says scientists told him the Paris target is "no longer true" — and that fossil fuel "windfall profits" should be taxed to pay other countries. As COP31 opens in Turkey, America should say no thanks.

By Clara Hughes

For a decade, the United Nations told the world that holding global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius was still possible if everyone just tried harder. This week its top official admitted that promise is gone. In an interview with The Associated Press published as the U.N. climate summit, COP31, opens in Turkey on Monday, departing Secretary-General António Guterres described consulting scientists before a major speech last year. “Scientists told me you cannot say that because that’s no longer true,” he said of the 1.5-degree goal. “That was an enormous shock for me.” Give him credit for honesty. Now look at what he wants to do about it. Keep reading with Altas Premium. Below: