2024 Projected to be Hottest Year on Record, Warns EU Climate Monitor

The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) reports that 2024 is likely to be the hottest year on record, surpassing 2023. Global temperatures are projected to exceed the 1.5 °C threshold, indicating the urgent need for climate action ahead of the COP29 climate summit. Severe weather events linked to rising temperatures, including floods and wildfires, illustrate the growing impacts of climate change worldwide.

The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has declared that 2024 is projected to become the hottest year on record globally, surpassing 2023’s temperatures. This alarming assessment, released just prior to the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan, indicates that only a significant and unlikely drop in temperatures during the year’s final months could avert this record. The upward trajectory of temperatures, according to C3S, highlights the pervasive impact of climate change occurring across all continents and ocean basins. For the first time, global temperatures in 2024 are expected to exceed the critical threshold of 1.5 °C compared to pre-industrial levels from 1850 to 1990. Carlo Buontempo, Director of C3S, emphasized the overarching influence of climate change on this phenomenon, stating, “The fundamental, underpinning cause of this year’s record is climate change.” In light of the impending COP29 summit, discussions surrounding funding and climate action are expected to intensify, as the urgency for global cooperation becomes ever more pressing. The repercussions of the increasing global temperatures have already manifested in severe weather events marked by catastrophic floods and wildfires worldwide. Notable incidents in October include intense flooding in Spain, destructive wildfires in Peru, and massive flooding in Bangladesh, which devastated rice production and drove food prices higher. Further, the effects of human-induced climate change were also evident in Hurricane Milton in the United States, demonstrating the profound impact of rising temperatures on extreme weather.

The declaration from the Copernicus Climate Change Service underscores the challenges posed by climate change as the world edges towards unprecedented temperature elevations. The 1.5 °C threshold, once considered a future concern, is imminent, with the year 2024 set to mark a significant milestone in global climate history. The urgency of this situation is compounded by the upcoming COP29 climate summit, where leaders are expected to advocate for enhanced funding and decisive action against climate change. This context highlights the critical need for robust international collaboration to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

In conclusion, 2024 is anticipated to be the hottest year on record, driven primarily by climate change. The assessment from C3S serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for increased climate action as global temperatures near critical thresholds. The approaching COP29 summit provides a pivotal platform for global leaders to address these challenges and implement substantial funding for climate-related initiatives. Ultimately, the data reinforces that immediate and unified action is crucial for mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Original Source: www.wionews.com