The Copernicus Climate Change Service has declared that 2024 will likely be the hottest year on record, surpassing 2023. Temperatures are expected to exceed a crucial 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold, leading to severe climate consequences. Despite international efforts, projections indicate a potential temperature rise of 3.1 degrees Celsius due to ongoing carbon emissions, heightening the urgency for effective climate action.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service has announced that 2024 is on track to become the hottest year on record, significantly surpassing the average temperatures of 2023. This alarming trend indicates that global average temperatures could exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, a crucial threshold deemed critical for climate stability. The agency highlighted that a distinctive period of extreme heat had already raised global temperatures sharply from January to November, indicating a concerning trajectory for the planet’s climate. Furthermore, events such as the hottest recorded November in Portugal signal the ongoing rise in temperatures. With the current climate action path, projections suggest a potential increase of 3.1 degrees Celsius, posing perilous challenges to global ecosystems and humanity at large.
Climate change is a pressing global issue, with rising temperatures attributed primarily to increased carbon dioxide emissions stemming from the burning of fossil fuels. The Copernicus Climate Change Service, operating under the European Union, employs extensive data, including satellite images and historical climate records, to inform its assessments. The imminent crossing of the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold has raised alarms among scientists and policymakers, as it poses significant risks to the Earth’s environment, leading to severe weather events and ecological disruption. The commitment made under the Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming; however, current trends signal a substantial deviation from these targets.
In summary, the projections from the Copernicus Climate Change Service indicate that 2024 is almost certainly set to become the hottest year on record, highlighting an urgent need for effective climate action. The alarming rise in global temperatures, foretold by the failure to restrain emissions and the resultant extreme weather events, underscores the critical moment we are at in addressing climate change. Immediate and decisive measures will be necessary to mitigate the catastrophic impact of further warming and protect the planet for future generations.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
