September 2024 Recorded as Second-Warmest Globally, Signaling Urgent Need for Climate Action

September 2024 has been recorded as the second-warmest September globally, following a trend that could see 2024 become the hottest year on record. The report from Copernicus highlights severe weather incidents exacerbated by climate change, with global temperatures for 14 of the last 15 months significantly above pre-industrial levels. The implications of these findings stress the importance of accelerated efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In a recent report from the European Union’s climate monitor, Copernicus, it was announced that September 2024 stands as the second-warmest September on record globally. This development comes in a year that is poised to become the hottest in history. The report highlights the troubling trends of extreme weather phenomena, including intense rainfall and destructive storms, which are escalating in intensity and frequency due to climate change. The average global temperature for September 2024 was noted as being the second highest ever recorded, just behind September 2023, based on data derived from an extensive array of satellite, aerial, and ground-based measurements. The last year registered as the hottest to date, yet predictions suggest that 2024 will exceed this record. The implications of global warming extend beyond mere temperature increases; they involve substantial changes in weather patterns as higher temperatures permit the atmosphere to retain more moisture. Consequently, this results in heightened evaporation from oceans, leading to more severe rainfall events. Samantha Burgess, the deputy director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, commented on the drastic weather patterns, stating, “The extreme rainfall events of this month, something we are observing more and more often, have been made worse by a warmer atmosphere.” The month of September witnessed various severe weather occurrences: Hurricane Helene impacted the southeastern United States, Typhoon Krathon struck Taiwan, and Storm Boris caused widespread flooding in central Europe. In addition, Typhoons Yagi and Bebinca wreaked havoc across Asia while devastating floods occurred in Nepal, Japan, and regions in Africa. Copernicus’s report indicates that climate conditions during the first three quarters of 2024 have already reached unprecedented levels, reinforcing the likelihood that this year will be the warmest recorded. Notably, an alarming 14 of the past 15 months recorded temperatures at least 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial norm, which covers the period from 1850 to 1900. While this increase does not violate the criteria set forth by the Paris climate agreement—designed to maintain a global temperature raise well below 2 degrees Celsius—the ongoing trend poses serious risks. Scientists express concern that the target of a 1.5-degree Celsius increase could soon be unattainable. Current trajectories for global emissions could lead to temperature rises of up to 2.9 degrees Celsius by the year 2100, as per the UN Environment Programme’s findings. Despite the pressing nature of these findings, greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel consumption have only escalated in recent years, whereas they need to be significantly curtailed in the immediate future to avert catastrophic climate consequences.

The findings from the Copernicus climate report highlight the ongoing effects of climate change, specifically as it pertains to rising global temperatures and increased frequency of extreme weather events. Scientists utilize a wide range of data, from satellite imagery to historical records, to assess changes in the Earth’s climate. This comprehensive approach allows for the evaluation of current trends against historical benchmarks, revealing that the current period is likely the hottest Earth has experienced in the last 100,000 years. The insights gained underscore the urgent need for global initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and address the underlying causes of climate change.

In summary, the report from Copernicus indicates that September 2024 has recorded unprecedented temperatures, marking another alarming milestone in climate change trends. With extreme weather events becoming more common, the situation necessitates immediate and profound action to mitigate the consequences of rising global temperatures. The urgency for international cooperation in reducing greenhouse gas emissions is more pronounced than ever, as the window for maintaining a livable climate narrows.

Original Source: www.rfi.fr