Copernicus has urged governments to act urgently as 2024 is projected to be the hottest year on record, exceeding 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. The data reveals unprecedented temperature rises, linking it to worsening climate events. The EU aims for a 55% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, reinforcing commitments under the Paris Agreement.
The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service has issued a call to action for global governments as 2024 is predicted to be the hottest year ever recorded. Samantha Burgess, the deputy director of Copernicus, stated that it is almost certain that the year will exceed a 1.5 degrees Celsius increase above pre-industrial levels. This stark increase in temperatures serves as a crucial impetus for heightened efforts leading up to the upcoming Climate Change Conference, COP 29, scheduled to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22. Data from Copernicus indicates that particularly in October 2024, global temperatures reached 1.65 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, highlighting significant warming trends over the past year. The report notes that UN scientists had previously cautioned that exceeding the temperature thresholds of 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius could result in more severe climate events, such as intensified heatwaves, droughts, storms, and flooding. In October, certain regions including the Iberian Peninsula, France, and northern Italy experienced above-average rainfall, leading to devastating flash floods in Valencia, Spain, which resulted in numerous fatalities. In response to escalating climate concerns, the EU has set a goal to cut carbon emissions by 55% from 1990 levels by 2030, aligning with the Paris Agreement to limit global warming this century.
The warning from the Copernicus Climate Change Service coincides with increasing scientific evidence regarding climate change and its dire consequences. The previous commitments made by nations under the Paris Agreement aimed to restrict global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius, with efforts to ideally keep warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius. As the climate crisis intensifies, international gatherings like the COP conferences provide platforms for discussing strategies to counteract these alarming trends. Copernicus, as part of the European Space Agency, plays a pivotal role in monitoring climate conditions and supporting evidence-based decision-making for environmental policies.
In summary, the Copernicus Climate Change Service has underscored the urgent need for global governments to escalate their climate actions in light of predictions that 2024 will be the hottest year on record. The gathered data not only reveals alarming temperature rises but also the pressing reality of increasing climate-related disasters. As world leaders prepare for COP 29, the emphasis remains on ambitious targets to curb emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Original Source: montelnews.com
