According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, 2024 has marked the first full year where global temperatures have surpassed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Every month this year has recorded unprecedented warmth, leading to significant climate phenomena worldwide. Efforts to mitigate climate change have been hampered by political will, despite clear scientific evidence urging immediate action.
In a significant milestone for climate science, 2024 has been confirmed as the first full year in which global average temperatures exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). Reports indicate that every month of this year set records for warmth, with an average temperature of 1.6 degrees Celsius above the benchmark period of 1850-1900. This trend of increasing temperatures is a reflection of the escalation of greenhouse gas emissions, which are driving the planet toward unprecedented climatic extremes.
The ramifications of this warming are evident across continents, impacting communities regardless of their economic status. Increasing incidences of extreme weather events, such as wildfires in California and catastrophic floods in several nations, illustrate the severity of climate change. Despite scientific consensus on the human causes of climate change, political action towards mitigation has been lackluster.
Experts warn that the breach of the 1.5-degree threshold should galvanize political leaders worldwide to take urgent action. Carlo Buontempo, director of C3S, emphasized, “It’s not a done deal. We have the power to change the trajectory from now on,” suggesting that immediate emission reductions could still steer the climate away from catastrophic thresholds. Furthermore, carbon dioxide levels reached a new high of 422 parts per million in 2024, underscoring the pressing need for a concerted global response to avert disastrous climate futures.
The analysis by C3S marks a pivotal moment in climate science, wherein 2024 not only surpassed the critical threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming above pre-industrial levels, but it also reinforced the need for immediate and comprehensive global action against climate change. The increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events serve as clear indicators of the far-reaching impacts of global warming. Under the Paris Agreement, nations committed to limiting temperature rises, making the current situation an urgent call to action.
The confirmation that 2024 is the first full year to exceed the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold signifies a critical juncture in the climate crisis. It underscores the need for enhanced political commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing effective climate policies. Noteworthy are the warnings from scientists advocating stronger action to prevent dangerously high levels of global warming from becoming a reality. The continued rise in global temperatures and the associated consequences demonstrate the imperative for immediate action to address the climate crisis.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
