The EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service reports that this year is set to be the hottest on record due to climate change. With the upcoming COP29 summit, scientists underscore the need for stronger actions against fossil fuel emissions. Experts warn that the world may soon surpass the 1.5°C threshold established in the Paris Agreement, particularly as extreme weather events become increasingly frequent, emphasizing the urgency of climate action.
The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has declared this year as “virtually certain” to surpass last year as the warmest on record. This announcement coincides with the upcoming UN COP29 climate summit scheduled to take place in Azerbaijan, where nations will convene to discuss significant funding initiatives to combat climate change. However, the recent electoral victory of former U.S. President Donald Trump has tempered expectations regarding the summit’s effectiveness. C3S noted that from January through October, global average temperatures have been so high that the year is practically assured to be the hottest unless an unprecedented drop occurs in remaining months. C3S Director Carlo Buontempo stated, “The fundamental, underpinning cause of this year’s record is climate change,” highlighting that warming affects all continents and seas, leading to the consistent breaking of temperature records. This year will mark the first instance when global temperatures exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial levels of the 1850 to 1900 period, a benchmark that aligns with the Paris Agreement objectives. Dr. Sonia Seneviratne from ETH Zurich warned that the targets set in Paris are increasingly imperiled due to insufficient pace in global climate action, emphasizing the urgent need for robust measures from governments to transition away from fossil fuels. Although the barrier of an average global temperature increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius has not yet been breached, it is anticipated that this benchmark will be surpassed around 2030, igniting concerns over extreme weather events. In the past month alone, catastrophic floods in Spain and wildfires in Peru have highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change and enhancing disaster preparedness. The C3S records span back to 1940, which are corroborated with global temperature data dating from 1850, solidifying the empirical basis for observing climate trends and their impacts. The worsening extremes underscore the necessity for concerted international efforts to combat climate change and mitigate its dire consequences for future generations.
The article discusses the alarming predictions made by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service regarding climate trends for the current year. With the expected surpassing of last year’s temperature records, the narrative emphasizes the ongoing global challenge posed by climate change and the urgency for effective policy responses. The article highlights correlations between climate change and extreme weather events, framing the upcoming UN COP29 summit as a critical juncture for international climate policy.
In conclusion, the C3S report significantly highlights the critical temperature milestones the planet is set to breach, urging countries to intensify their commitments to the Paris Agreement’s goals. The alarming increase in global temperatures underlines the pressing need for immediate action and collaboration among nations to combat climate change effectively. The anticipated discussions at COP29 will be crucial in shaping a more sustainable future amid growing environmental challenges.
Original Source: www.taipeitimes.com
