2024 Declared Hottest Year on Record, EU Scientists Report

A recent report from EU scientists indicates that 2024 is set to become the hottest year on record, with average global temperatures exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Extreme weather events have escalated worldwide, driven by human-induced climate change, while efforts to curb emissions have not yet shown results. Global CO2 emissions are expected to hit record highs.

European Union scientists have declared that 2024 will not only be the hottest year on record but also represents a significant milestone as the first year in which the average global temperature surpasses 1.5 degrees Celsius above the historical norm observed from 1850 to 1900. This alarming observation is based on data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) and comes on the heels of international climate negotiations, which saw a $300 billion investment aimed at combating climate change, although critics argue it is insufficient given the escalating costs of climate-induced disasters.

In 2024, extreme weather phenomena have been pervasive across the globe, including severe droughts impacting regions in Italy and South America, fatal floods affecting Nepal, Sudan, and Europe, and deadly heatwaves in nations such as Mexico, Mali, and Saudi Arabia. These catastrophic events have contributed to a notable increase in fatalities, supporting scientific assertions that human activity significantly influences climate change and resultant disasters. As evidenced by November’s record temperatures, climate conditions remain perilously high, and projections indicate that these elevated temperatures will persist into early 2025.

The primary driver of climate change is carbon dioxide emissions generated from the combustion of fossil fuels. Despite various governments committing to achieving net-zero emissions, global carbon emissions are on track to reach unprecedented levels this year. Furthermore, climatologists are observing potential shifts in weather patterns, specifically the possibility of a La Nina event that could lead to brief cooling; however, this will not mitigate the long-term warming trend attributed to sustained emissions. Notably, experts caution that even should La Nina manifest, it will not render global temperatures ‘safe’ or ‘normal’, as extreme weather events will continue to pose significant risks to public safety and environmental stability.

The urgency surrounding climate change has never been more pronounced, highlighted by new findings from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, which predicts that 2024 will represent a critical tipping point in global temperatures. The reality of climate change is underscored by a series of natural disasters linked to rising temperatures, prompting the need for immediate action. The recent climate agreement, while substantial in funding, has drawn criticism for failing to adequately address the immediate needs of vulnerable nations facing climate crises.

In conclusion, the findings presented by the Copernicus Climate Change Service underscore the pressing nature of climate change and the critical need for enhanced global cooperation to mitigate its impacts. Despite governmental pledges to reduce emissions, the trajectory of global temperatures indicates a dramatic increase in climate-related disasters. Therefore, the recognition of 2024 as the hottest year on record serves as a crucial reminder of the urgency required in addressing climate change and its far-reaching effects.

Original Source: www.euractiv.com