Recent evidence from the WMO indicates that global warming is manifesting at an unprecedented pace, with 2024 recorded as the hottest year over 175 years. This report arrives amid waning political commitment to climate action from some leaders while highlighting ongoing discussions on green initiatives in other nations. Extreme weather events underscore the urgent need for robust climate policies.
New findings underscore the rapid changes occurring in the Earth’s climate, a concern intensified by current political debates regarding climate action. The latest report by the United Nations’s World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) highlights 2024 as the hottest year on record over the last 175 years. Additionally, each of the last decade’s years ranks among the top ten warmest since records began, a trend previously punctuated by cooler years.
Prof. Chris Hewitt, director of climate services at the WMO, stated that such consistent warmth is unprecedented since 1850. As the temperature anomalies persisted, Dr. John Kennedy noted that temperatures remained high even after the effects of El Niño subsided, describing the continuation of warmth as “really quite extraordinary.”
The report revealed concerning trends, including:
– Carbon dioxide concentrations at their highest in 800,000 years.
– Ocean temperatures setting new heat records annually for the past eight years.
– The lowest summer sea ice levels in the Arctic recorded within the past 18 years.
– Glaciers experiencing unprecedented ice loss over the last three years.
– A doubled rate of sea level rise since satellite measurements began.
UK Met Office’s Prof. Stephen Belcher described the planet as “profoundly ill,” citing numerous alarming indicators. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged global leaders to “step up” with new climate plans amid increasing distress signals from the planet.
Despite this consensus, some political leaders, such as former President Trump, have retreated from climate initiatives, removing the US from the Paris Agreement. Nonetheless, the UK’s climate envoy expressed optimism about ongoing global discussions on transitioning to greener solutions.
China, emphasized as the largest global emitter, has reported record installations of wind and solar energy in the previous year, contributing significantly to renewable energy production. However, the extreme weather driven by last year’s heatwave displaced more individuals than any year since 2008, compromising vital infrastructure and ecosystems.
Notable disasters included Hurricanes Helene and Milton in the US, resulting in significant casualties and financial losses, and Tropical Cyclone Chido, which devastated parts of Africa, displacing thousands.
The recent WMO report emphasizes the alarming acceleration of climate change, despite some political resistance to climate action. With record temperatures and unprecedented environmental changes, the urgency for immediate and sustained global response is critical. While challenges remain, there are still opportunities for progress, particularly with countries such as China leading renewable energy initiatives. Collective action is essential to combat climate impacts and foster a sustainable future.
Original Source: www.gaydio.co.uk
