EU scientists assert that 2024 will be the hottest year on record, with global temperatures exceeding pre-industrial levels for the first time. Recent extreme weather, attributed to human-induced climate change, includes droughts, floods, and heatwaves worldwide. Despite proposed climate funding agreements, global carbon emissions are expected to reach record levels this year, necessitating urgent action to mitigate climate impacts.
According to European Union scientists, 2024 will establish itself as the hottest year on record, with temperature highs anticipated to remain at extraordinary levels through early 2025. The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) confirmed this data shortly after a recent UN climate summit which resulted in a $300 billion agreement aimed at combating climate change, a deal that many poorer nations criticized as inadequate given escalating climate-related expenses. Notably, the period from January to November 2024 has recorded global temperatures surpassing 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial era average, setting a new benchmark following the previously established record in 2023. Extreme weather events, attributed to human-induced climate change, have severely impacted various regions globally, from droughts in Italy and South America to devastating floods in Nepal, Sudan, Europe, and severe heatwaves in countries like Mexico and Saudi Arabia, which have resulted in thousands of fatalities.
A recent report indicated that November 2024 was the second warmest November recorded since observations commenced. Julien Nicolas, a researcher at Copernicus, remarked on the sustained high global temperatures, which are unlikely to diminish significantly in the near future. The primary driver of climate change remains carbon dioxide emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels, with record high emissions expected this year despite numerous governmental commitments to achieve net-zero emissions. Scientists are also observing the possibility of a La Nina weather phenomenon forming in 2025, which could temporarily reduce global temperatures despite not altering the overarching warming trend.
Climate change is a pressing and increasingly significant global issue primarily influenced by human activities, particularly the combustion of fossil fuels which yields high carbon dioxide emissions. The data presented by the Copernicus Climate Change Service offers a disturbing insight into the acceleration of global warming and its consequences, validating the urgent need for effective climate policies and actions. Moreover, recent international climate negotiations underscore disparities between developed and developing nations regarding climate financial support, which adds to the complexity of addressing climate change effectively. The ongoing patterns of extreme weather highlight the serious ramifications of rising temperatures and underscore the critical need for scientific observation and intervention to mitigate future risks.
In summary, 2024 is poised to be the hottest year recorded, with severe global temperature averages surpassing pre-industrial levels and extreme weather events becoming increasingly common. International climate agreements, although aiming to address these issues, may fall short in terms of effectiveness. Ongoing monitoring and a commitment to achieving net-zero emissions are vital to potentially curtail future warming, but significant challenges remain. The scientific community continues to stress that even potential cooling effects from natural phenomena like La Nina will not resolve the long-term consequences of climate change.
Original Source: sightmagazine.com.au
