The EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service predicts that 2024 will become the hottest year on record, surpassing 2023. This trend is attributed primarily to climate change, with alarming increases in global temperatures observed thus far. Experts are calling for urgent action to mitigate fossil fuel dependency to achieve climate targets set by international agreements, especially in light of increasing extreme weather events globally.
The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) announced that 2024 is “virtually certain” to surpass 2023 as the warmest year on record. This assertion is supported by data indicating that the global average temperature from January to October has reached unprecedented levels. As a result, C3S predicts that unless there is a significant drop in temperatures during the remainder of this year, 2024 will set a new record. C3S Director Carlo Buontempo highlighted that climate change is the primary driver behind this alarming trend, stating, “The climate is warming, generally. It’s warming in all continents, in all ocean basins. So we are bound to see those records being broken.” Furthermore, 2024 is poised to be the first year where temperatures exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, marking a pivotal moment since the onset of industrialization. The ongoing rise in carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels remains a crucial factor contributing to global warming. Climate scientist Sonia Seneviratne underscored the urgency of increased government action, urging that current responses to climate change are insufficient, emphasizing, “The limits that were set in the Paris agreement are starting to crumble given the too-slow pace of climate action across the world.” While nations continue to strive for compliance with the Paris Agreement’s targets to limit temperature increases, forecasts suggest a breach of the 1.5 C threshold may occur around 2030. Extreme weather events, including devastating floods and wildfires, are already being attributed to rising temperatures. This was exemplified by recent catastrophic events in various countries, highlighting the immediate repercussions of climate change. C3S has been compiling climate data since 1940, providing evidence that reinforces the urgent need for robust international climate policy to mitigate the severe impact of global warming.
As the world grapples with climate change, the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) serves as a critical body monitoring temperature trends and alarming deviations. Recent findings reveal that 2024 is on track to be the hottest year recorded. This revelation accompanies rising concerns about climate policy effectiveness, particularly in light of global agreements such as the Paris Agreement, which aimed to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Continuous fossil fuel consumption has accelerated climate change, inviting an urgent call for global efforts aimed at transitioning towards sustainable practices.
In conclusion, the forecast for 2024 as the hottest year on record reflects both the urgency of the climate crisis and the need for immediate collective action. As climate change accelerates, crossing critical thresholds threatens to exacerbate extreme weather events and global instability. The statements from C3S and climate experts urge that stronger measures be taken to decrease reliance on fossil fuels, underscoring the recommendation for robust agreements at global climate summits. Immediate collaborative action is critical to avert the worst implications of climate change.
Original Source: www.swissinfo.ch
