The UN declared 2024 as the end of a “decade of deadly heat,” noting that the past ten years were the hottest on record. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for urgent action to curb emissions by 2025, while the WMO highlighted the severe impacts of climate change, including increased extreme weather events. A recent report indicated that climate change intensified numerous extreme weather occurrences this year, leading to significant loss of life and displacement.
The United Nations has declared that the year 2024 has marked the culmination of a “decade of deadly heat,” with the past ten years recording the highest temperatures globally. In a New Year message, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized that this unprecedented heat trend, driven by human activities, has resulted in extreme weather variations. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is expected to release confirmed temperature data for 2024 by January, but preliminary assessments suggest that this year will also be the warmest on record.
Guterres highlighted that the climate crisis is evident in real-time and urged nations to take drastic actions to reduce emissions by 2025 to safeguard the planet’s future. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo noted that even slight increases in temperature can result in severe climate extremes, pointing to significant rainfall, flooding, and catastrophic events like wildfires worldwide.
The WMO referenced a recent report identifying that climate change accentuated 26 out of 29 extreme weather incidents in 2024, resulting in significant human losses and displacements. As a global commitment to mitigate climate risks grows urgent, collaboration among countries and international entities remains essential in addressing the escalating challenges posed by climate change and its associated heat risks.
The article addresses the pressing issues surrounding climate change, particularly the alarming rise in global temperatures over the past decade. It reports on the statements made by top officials from the United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization, stressing the urgency for nations to implement significant changes to combat the effects of climate change. The ongoing trend of unprecedented heat and its link to increased extreme weather events is a central theme, highlighting the need for immediate and coordinated global action.
In conclusion, the UN and WMO have painted a grave picture of the climate situation, indicating that 2024 caps a decade characterized by severe heat and extremes. The calls for action by global leaders underline the necessity for immediate measures to mitigate emissions and adapt to a changing climate. The implications of failing to act are dire, making international cooperation and commitment to sustainable practices imperative in achieving a more stable climate future.
Original Source: www.perspectivemedia.com
