In 2024, the UN reported unprecedented extreme weather and record heat, making it potentially the hottest year recorded. Greenhouse gas emissions reached new highs, fueling future temperatures. The evidence of climate change is evident daily, with severe flood and heat impacting communities globally. Secretary-General Guterres urged immediate action to transition to renewable energy to combat climate breakdown.
The United Nations has reported that climate change resulted in unprecedented extreme weather patterns and record heat throughout 2024, culminating in what is projected to be the warmest year on record. This alarming trend accompanies a rise in greenhouse gas emissions, which continue to escalate, further exacerbating the climate crisis. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) indicated that the evidence of climate change manifests daily through increased frequency and severity of extreme weather incidents across the globe.
In 2024, communities worldwide experienced catastrophic flooding, in addition to the devastating impacts of tropical cyclones, particularly in the French overseas department of Mayotte. Furthermore, numerous countries faced extreme heat, with temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) on multiple occasions, leading to widespread wildfires and loss of life. The WMO has reported that the January to September average temperature this year was recorded at 1.54 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average, positioning 2024 to definitively surpass the record thermal highs set in previous years.
The Paris climate agreement of 2015 aimed to limit global warming to below two degrees Celsius, with a more ambitious goal of 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, reports from the WMO indicate that the decade just passed has seen record-breaking heat, with all ten of the hottest years having occurred within this time frame. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has highlighted the urgency of this situation, emphasizing that without immediate substantial cuts in emissions, mankind risks continuing down a perilous path.
In his address for the New Year, Secretary-General Guterres emphasized the need for transformative action to avert a deepening climate crisis, stating, “We must exit this road to ruin — and we have no time to lose.” This call to action reinforces the necessity for nations to rigorously implement strategies that support a transition towards renewable energy sources and other sustainable practices, especially as discussions for international cooperation will intensify in the coming years.
Climate change represents one of the foremost global challenges of our time, marked by rising temperatures, unpredictable weather patterns, and intensified natural disasters. The scientific consensus underscores that human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, have significantly contributed to this crisis. The Paris Agreement is a pivotal framework aimed at mitigating global warming by setting ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As countries grapple with the evidence of climate change, the increasing frequency of extreme weather events underscores the urgent need for cohesive global action.
In summary, the year 2024 has exemplified the catastrophic effects of climate change, as indicated by the United Nations’ report on extreme weather and unprecedented heat. Urgent action is required to address rising greenhouse gas emissions and to adhere to international climate agreements. The call for transformative strategies and a shift toward renewable energy has never been more critical, as the world faces a pressing imperative to mitigate further climate deterioration.
Original Source: www.france24.com
