The year 2024 is predicted to be the hottest on record, exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. This follows a $300 billion climate deal criticized for being inadequate for poorer nations. Extreme weather events worldwide have intensified, attributed to human-induced climate change. Despite commitments to reduce emissions, global CO2 levels are expected to reach a record high this year. La Niña may result in temporary cooling but will not halt the overall warming trend.
The year 2024 is anticipated to be recorded as the hottest year globally since record-keeping commenced, according to recent findings released by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). This announcement comes in the wake of a $300 billion climate change agreement reached at the recent UN climate talks, which faced criticism from less affluent nations for being insufficient in addressing the escalating costs linked to climate disasters.
C3S reported that data collected from January through November confirms 2024 will surpass the previous hottest year, 2023, with global temperatures exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial levels from 1850 to 1900. This unprecedented temperature anomaly has been accompanied by severe climatic events worldwide, including destructive droughts across Italy and South America, tragic floods in Nepal, Sudan, and Europe, as well as lethal heatwaves affecting various regions, including Mexico, Mali, and Saudi Arabia. These extreme conditions bear clear evidences of human-induced climate change.
The preceding month, November, has been categorized as the second-warmest on record, following closely behind November 2023. Julien Nicolas, a Copernicus climate researcher, indicated that “We’re still in near-record-high territory for global temperatures, and that’s likely to stay at least for the next few months.”
Primary factors driving climate change include carbon dioxide emissions resulting from fossil fuel combustion. While many governments aspire to achieve net-zero emissions, global CO2 emissions are projected to hit record levels this year. The scientific community continues to observe potential developments of the La Niña weather phenomenon, which may contribute to temporary regional cooling, but will not mitigate the overarching warming trend driven by greenhouse gas emissions.
Friederike Otto, a senior lecturer at Imperial College London, stated, “While 2025 might be slightly cooler than 2024, if a La Nina event develops, this does not mean temperatures will be ‘safe’ or ‘normal’.” She cautioned that high temperatures would still induce extreme weather patterns, including heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and tropical cyclones.
C3S has been generating temperature records since 1940, cross-referenced with historical global data dating back to 1850.
The issue of climate change has gained significant attention due to its devastating impact on weather patterns globally. The need for collective action is deemed critical, especially following the recent climate agreements aimed at reducing carbon emissions. Scientists continuously observe the effects of human activity on the environment, which manifests as an increase in extreme weather events. Despite pledges by governments to address these concerns, the actual progress remains questionable in light of rising carbon dioxide emissions. Understanding the underlying factors contributing to climate change is essential for developing effective solutions to mitigate its consequences.
In summary, 2024 is set to become the hottest year on record, influenced by rampant carbon emissions and exacerbated by ongoing climate-related disasters. Despite various governmental commitments to mitigate climate change, challenges persist, particularly regarding the adequacy of financial resources for vulnerable nations. While there may be slight variances in temperatures in the coming years, the evidence suggests that high-level temperatures and severe weather incidents will continue to be a pressing concern for world leaders and communities alike.
Original Source: bdnews24.com
