2024 has been confirmed as the warmest year on record globally, with an average temperature of 15.1 degrees Celsius, indicating a rise of 1.6 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This surpasses the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold set by the Paris Agreement for the first time, emphasizing the urgent need for action against climate change. High global temperatures continue to result in extreme weather events worldwide.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has confirmed that 2024 is the warmest year on record globally since monitoring began in 1850. This significant milestone highlights the urgent need for comprehensive global initiatives to combat climate change. In 2024, the average global temperature reached 15.1 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record of 2023 by 0.12 degrees Celsius, and marking the first instance of temperatures exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
A two-year average for 2023 and 2024 also passed the critical threshold, emphasizing the dire implications of climate change. The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to well below two degrees Celsius, with a target of 1.5 degrees Celsius by the century’s end. Although current conditions have not officially breached this threshold, the increase in temperature indicates that humanity is experiencing unprecedented climate change impacts.
In addition to rising temperatures, the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere reached its highest level in 2024, about 5% above the 1991-2020 average. This combination of high temperatures and atmospheric moisture resulted in extreme heatwaves and severe rainfall events, affecting millions globally. C3S climate scientist Julien Nicolas attributed these rising temperatures chiefly to human-induced climate change, with natural phenomena like the El Niño factor also playing a part.
C3S Director Carlo Buontempo underlined the critical situation, asserting that proactive and decisive action is essential to change the current trajectory of global climate.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) is a European Union initiative that provides essential climate data and analysis. It aims to assist policymakers, researchers, and the public in understanding climate change trends and consequences. The recording of temperature variations since 1850 allows for significant insights into long-term climate dynamics. The Paris Agreement represents a key international commitment targeting global warming, setting specific temperature thresholds to avert severe climate disruptions. The implications of these rising temperatures, including extreme weather events and increased atmospheric moisture, underscore the urgency of addressing climate change.
In summary, the confirmation of 2024 as the warmest year on record by C3S signifies a critical moment in the fight against climate change, indicating an urgent need for global action. Exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels is a stark reminder of the challenges faced and the essential steps that must be taken to manage climate impacts effectively. The data point to the imperative for immediate, sustained efforts to alter the course of climate trajectory, with the future reliant on present actions.
Original Source: www.socialnews.xyz
