1 / 10Guterres’ Warning: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited Antarctica on November 28. He warned of the devastating acceleration of ice melt in the region, often referred to as a “sleeping giant”. He stressed the need for intense action at the upcoming COP28 climate talks. (AP Photo)
2 / 10Official Visit: Guterres is on a three-day official visit to Antarctica. Chile’s President Gabriel Boric joined him at Chile´s Eduardo Frei Air Force Base at King George Island. (AP Photo)
3 / 10Glacier Tours: Guterres was scheduled to visit the Collins and Nelson glaciers by boat, witnessing first-hand the effects of climate change. (AP Photo)
4 / 10COP28 Opportunities: Guterres highlighted that COP28 presents an opportunity for nations to phase out fossil fuels in a timely manner. This is crucial to prevent global temperatures from rising 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. (AP Photo)
5 / 10Climate Regulation: Antarctica plays a significant role in regulating Earth’s climate. Warming air and ocean temperatures are causing Antarctic ice to melt. The continent reflects sunlight away and drives major ocean currents. (AP Photo)
6 / 10Unavoidable Melting: A recent study in Nature Climate Change revealed that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet will now experience “unavoidable” melting. This is despite efforts to reduce emissions of planet-warming gases like carbon dioxide. (AP Photo)
7 / 10Ice Shelf Reduction: Another study in Science Advances reported that nearly 50 Antarctic ice shelves have shrunk by at least 30% since 1997. 28 of those have lost more than half their ice in that short period of time. (AP Photo)
8 / 10A bird extends its wings aboard of the Aquiles, a Chilean Navy ship at King George Island, South Shetlands, Antarctica. (AP Photo)
9 / 10A penguin stands on the beach at King George Island, South Shetlands, Antarctica. (AP Photo)
10 / 10United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stands outside the Chilean Eduardo Frei Air Force Base in King George Island, Antarctica. Guterres' visit to Antarctica comes days before nations converge in Dubai for COP28 to address climate change. (AP Photo)
