The UN reported that climate change has precipitated extreme weather and record heat in 2024, shaping this year to be potentially the hottest ever. Despite global consensus on limiting warming, greenhouse gas emissions have surged, prompting calls for immediate action to reduce emissions and transition to renewable energy. Secretary General Antonio Guterres highlighted the urgency in addressing the climate crisis.
The United Nations has reported that climate change has led to extreme weather events and record-breaking heat throughout the year 2024, describing it as a critical moment in the ongoing climate crisis. According to the UN’s weather and climate agency, this year is projected to be the warmest on record, marking the culmination of a decade characterized by extraordinary heat levels. Meanwhile, greenhouse gas emissions have reached unprecedented highs, contributing to the predicament of climate change.
Celeste Saulo, the Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), emphasized the alarming frequency of extreme weather events, noting, “Climate change plays out before our eyes on an almost daily basis in the form of increased occurrence and impact of extreme weather events.” He detailed the devastating impacts of tropical cyclones and attributed significant loss of life to severe rainfall and flooding in many regions, indicating a global pattern of environmental distress. Furthermore, numerous countries experienced scorching heat with temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit), exacerbating wildfire risks and causing widespread devastation.
The foundation for global climate policy, the 2015 Paris agreement, sought to limit temperature rise to well below two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Current assessments indicate that 2024 is on track to exceed the previous record set in 2023, with the year-to-date mean surface air temperature already 1.54 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial averages. In his New Year address, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres reflected on the trends of the past decade, stating, “Today I can officially report that we have just endured a decade of deadly heat.” He urged nations to take immediate action to curb emissions and transition toward renewable energy sources, calling it “essential” and “possible” within the coming years.
The phenomenon of climate change has increasingly led to extreme weather patterns, as highlighted by the UN’s latest report. 2024 is anticipated to be the hottest year recorded, with greenhouse gas emissions rising to critical levels. The Paris Agreement of 2015 aimed to mitigate these effects; however, the observable climate-related consequences demand urgent action from all countries to reverse these trends and transition toward a more sustainable energy future.
The United Nations’ recent report underscores the escalating impact of climate change, reflected in unprecedented heat and extreme weather events throughout 2024. While past efforts, such as the Paris Agreement, aim to limit warming, the current trajectory indicates a need for immediate and significant emissions reduction. Global leaders are urged to decisively shift toward renewable energy and halt the pathway leading to climate disaster, emphasizing that collaboration is essential for a sustainable future.
Original Source: www.france24.com
