Global temperatures are set to exceed the 1.5°C threshold this year for the first time, highlighting the urgency for climate action. November recorded 1.62°C above pre-industrial levels, with 2024 projected to be the warmest year on record. Current pledges are insufficient to meet climate goals as substantial political backlash worsens the situation.
In a concerning development, the average global temperature has surpassed the critical 1.5°C threshold for the first time, with November registering an increase of 1.62°C above pre-industrial levels, as reported by the Copernicus Climate Change Service, funded by the European Union. This year is poised to be recorded as the warmest on record, reinforcing the urgency for significant reduction in carbon emissions. November ranks as the second hottest November globally, following the previous year.
The importance of the 1.5°C threshold stems from its prominence in the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming. The tracking of global temperatures has indicated a worrying trend, as 16 out of the last 17 months have experienced temperatures exceeding the 1.5°C benchmark. Despite ongoing efforts, current governmental pledges appear inadequate to meet overarching climate goals, particularly amid recent political pushbacks against climate initiatives in key regions such as Europe and the United States.
The current trajectory of rising global temperatures accentuates the pressing need for enhanced climate action and adherence to international agreements. Without impactful measures, projections suggest that global temperatures could escalate to between 2.6°C and 2.8°C by century’s end, overshadowing the 1.5°C target that many nations are striving to uphold.
Original Source: www.insurancejournal.com
