September 2024 became the second-warmest September on record, with extreme weather patterns increasing due to rising global temperatures. The month saw unprecedented rainfall and storms worldwide, and 2024 is predicted to be the hottest year on record, raising concerns about the viability of international climate targets.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that September 2024 was the second-warmest September on record globally. This month marks yet another milestone in what is projected to be the hottest year ever documented. The average global temperature for September 2024 was surpassed only by the temperature recorded in September 2023. There has been an increase in extreme rainfall and devastating storms, which have become more intense as global temperatures continue to ascend due to climate change. The Copernicus monitoring system utilizes extensive data gathered from satellites, ships, aircraft, and meteorological stations to provide its assessments. Samantha Burgess, the deputy director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, noted that parts of the world experienced rainfall equivalent to several months’ worth within just a few days. She stated, “The extreme rainfall events of this month, something we are observing more and more often, have been made worse by a warmer atmosphere.” In a month characterized by tumultuous weather, Hurricane Helene affected the southeastern United States, while Typhoon Krathon hit Taiwan and Storm Boris caused severe flooding in Central Europe. Asian regions faced destruction from Typhoons Yagi and Bebinca, and significant flooding occurred in Nepal, Japan, and various regions across Africa. From January to September 2024, new temperature records have been established, leading scientists to assert that 2024 will likely become the warmest year in recorded history. Notably, fourteen out of the last fifteen months exhibited temperatures of at least 1.5 degrees Celsius above the average benchmarks established during the pre-industrial era, defined as the period between 1850 and 1900. Although this does not constitute a violation of the Paris climate accord—which aims to limit global warming to significantly below 2 degrees Celsius—it raises concerns that the 1.5-degree Celsius target is increasingly imperiled. According to projections from the United Nations Environment Program, if greenhouse gas emissions continue on their current trajectory, global temperatures could rise by as much as 2.9 degrees Celsius by 2100. This is particularly alarming given that emissions, primarily stemming from fossil fuel combustion, have escalated in recent years while scientists assert that emissions must be curtailed by nearly fifty percent within this decade to mitigate catastrophic climate impacts. The implications of these findings paint a disturbing picture of climate trends, underscoring the pressing need for collective action to combat climate change.
Recent climate reports highlight alarming trends in global temperatures, illustrating not only an increase in heat but also the cascading effects of climate change, such as severe weather patterns including heavy rainfall and storms. The Copernicus Climate Change Service serves as a critical authority in monitoring these changes utilizing advanced data collection methods. Scientific consensus implies that the current period is the warmest Earth has experienced in at least 100,000 years, warranting urgent responses to mitigate future climate impacts.
In conclusion, September 2024 stands as a stark reminder of the urgent climate crisis we face. With the second-warmest September recorded and an alarming rise in extreme weather events, it is evident that climate change continues to escalate. The necessity for immediate and significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions cannot be overstated if we aim to avert further deterioration of our global climate system.
Original Source: phys.org
