The United Nations has declared the last decade, concluding in 2024, as a period of unprecedented heat, with the ten hottest years recorded all occurring within this timeframe. The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) will confirm that 2024 is likely the warmest year, highlighting the urgent need for global action to reduce emissions and pivot towards renewable energy to combat escalating climate extremes and their devastating impacts.
In a stark declaration, the United Nations has announced that the decade culminating in 2024 has been characterized as one of severe heat. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted that the last ten years have included the ten hottest years ever recorded, emphasizing the urgency of addressing climate change. The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) is set to release formal temperature data early in January, indicating that 2024 may be the hottest year to date, exacerbated by anthropogenic factors and resulting in extreme weather events around the globe.
Guterres highlighted the persistent rise in greenhouse gas levels and stressed the imperative for nations to transition towards renewable energy sources, stating, “This is climate breakdown, in real time… we have no time to lose.” The WMO’s Secretary-General, Celeste Saulo, supported this sentiment, noting that each increment of warming leads to heightened climate extremes, with devastating impacts experienced worldwide, including catastrophic flooding and unprecedented heat waves.
Recent reports indicate that climate change has intensified 26 of the 29 extreme weather phenomena analyzed in 2024. These events have resulted in a considerable human toll, with more than 3,700 fatalities and millions displaced. Furthermore, climate change contributed to an additional 41 days of dangerously high temperatures this year. The WMO reiterated the critical need for collaborative efforts among countries and international organizations to mitigate severe heat risks moving forward.
The article centers on a recent statement by the United Nations concerning the alarming trend of rising global temperatures over the last decade. Specifically, it reports that the year 2024 caps a decade marked by unprecedented heat levels driven largely by human activities. The release of official temperature records by the WMO underscores the gravity of the climate crisis and its acute effects on weather patterns, emphasizing the urgent need for action by governments and policymakers worldwide.
In conclusion, the UN’s report indicates that the past decade has been notably defined by extreme heat and climate instability, culminating in 2024 as potentially the warmest year on record. With a clear call to action, Secretary-General Guterres and WMO representatives highlight that addressing climate change is not only essential but feasible through significant emissions reductions and a transition towards renewable energy sources. The implications of inaction are severe, underscoring the imperative for collaborative efforts to confront and mitigate climate-related challenges globally.
Original Source: nation.cymru
