2024 Poised to be the Hottest Year on Record, Warns EU Scientists

The EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service predicts 2024 will be the hottest year recorded, surpassing 2023. With temperatures expected to exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, climate scientists emphasize the need for stronger commitments at the upcoming COP29 summit. The effects of rising temperatures are already evident in severe weather events worldwide, driven by human-induced emissions.

The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has indicated that 2024 is on track to be recorded as the hottest year globally, likely exceeding the already high temperatures seen in 2023. This announcement precedes the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan, where substantial discussions regarding an increase in climate funding will take place. Data from C3S indicates that global temperatures from January through October have reached unprecedented heights, making it almost certain that 2024 will establish a new record unless there is a drastic decrease in temperatures in the remaining months of the year. According to Carlo Buontempo, Director of C3S, the profound warmth observed is a direct result of climate change, with rising temperatures evident across all continents and ocean basins. Significantly, this year will be the first instance where global temperatures are expected to surpass 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels (1850-1900), marking a critical moment in the context of human-induced climate change. The primary drivers of this alarming trend include carbon dioxide emissions stemming from the use of coal, oil, and natural gas. Climate scientist Sonia Seneviratne from ETH Zurich has underscored the importance of stronger climate commitments at COP29, advocating for a decisive shift away from fossil fuel reliance. She cautions that current climate action measures are insufficient to align with the Paris Agreement’s objectives, warning that without significant changes, the target of limiting warming to 1.5°C could be exceeded as early as 2030. The ramifications of rising temperatures are already manifesting through intensified extreme weather events; for instance, in October, severe flash floods in Spain resulted in numerous fatalities, while wildfires devastated areas in Peru. Additionally, catastrophic flooding in Bangladesh destroyed over a million tons of rice, which escalated food prices significantly. In the United States, Hurricane Milton’s strength has also been exacerbated by climate change. Overall, C3S data, when compared with historical climate records dating back to 1850, illustrates that the temperatures expected in 2024 are not only a spike but a continuation of a prolonged warming pattern largely induced by human activities.

The escalating concern regarding climate change has prompted extensive research and analysis from various scientific organizations, particularly within the European Union. The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) provides critical data on global temperature trends and their implications, emphasizing the urgent need for collective climate action. The discussions upcoming at COP29 will serve as a pivotal moment for nations to reassess their commitments to climate funding and explore strategies to mitigate the effects of global warming, particularly as extreme weather becomes more prevalent.

In conclusion, the projection that 2024 will likely become the hottest year on record underscores the urgency of addressing climate change. Findings from C3S highlight the relentless rise in global temperatures, urging immediate action to curb emissions and transition away from fossil fuels. Without decisive measures at forums like COP29, the world risks surpassing critical temperature thresholds, leading to further intensification of extreme weather events and dire consequences for human societies and ecosystems.

Original Source: maktoobmedia.com