2024 Confirmed as Likely Hottest Year on Record: EU Climate Monitor

According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, 2024 will likely be the hottest year on record, exceeding 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. Extreme weather events, such as recent floods and hurricanes, highlight the impact of climate change. With COP29 approaching, nations are urged to increase their commitments to combat rising temperatures and enhance climate action efforts.

The Copernicus Climate Change Service has declared that 2024 is “virtually certain” to become the hottest year recorded, with temperatures expected to exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This alarming benchmark signifies a critical juncture for global warming, urging nations to expedite their efforts toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly ahead of the upcoming UN climate negotiations in Azerbaijan. Recent climatic events, such as severe flooding in Spain and Hurricane Milton in the United States, underscore the immediate impacts of rising temperatures. Last October, recorded as the second hottest on record, demonstrated significant increases in average global temperatures, reaffirming concerns over climate stability. Furthermore, predictions indicate that 2024 could witness an average temperature more than 1.55 degrees Celsius higher than the 1850-1900 average, a measure that sets the stage for the potential breach of the Paris Agreement criteria, which aim to restrict warming to below 2 degrees Celsius. As pointed out by Samantha Burgess, Deputy Director of Copernicus, this year’s extreme temperatures should act as a catalyst for enhanced commitments at the forthcoming COP29 conference, especially against the backdrop of the United States’ erratic climate policy influenced by its electoral dynamics. While governments are called upon to intensify their climate initiatives, the scientific community warns that crucial climate thresholds are swiftly being surpassed, with dire implications for weather patterns. These include intensified rainfall and drought conditions witnessed globally, which can result from the increased capacity of warmer air to hold moisture. The Copernicus Agency continues to utilize vast datasets collected from various technological sources, providing an essential foundation for climate research. In essence, the declaration of 2024 as the likely warmest year on record signifies the immediate urgency for global collaborative action. The challenges posed by climate change necessitate a multi-faceted approach to mitigate its far-reaching effects, making international cooperation more crucial than ever.

The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) plays a pivotal role in monitoring global climate trends through an extensive array of data sources, including satellites and weather stations. Their assessments are rooted in comparative studies that analyze temperature data from significant historical periods, allowing climate scientists to evaluate changes over time and predict future dissimilarities. The Paris Agreement, established to combat climate change, sets ambitious targets for limiting global warming. However, current trends suggest that achieving these targets is becoming increasingly elusive due to persistent high levels of greenhouse gas emissions and the potential for extreme climatic events.

In summary, the Copernicus Climate Change Service’s proclamation that 2024 is likely to be the hottest year on record emphasizes the urgent need for global action to combat climate change. As scientific evidence mounts regarding the increasing severity of weather events and shifting climate patterns, it is essential for nations to increase their commitments to emission reductions. The upcoming COP29 conference represents a crucial opportunity for international dialogue and action to address these pressing issues.

Original Source: www.barrons.com