The United Nations reported that 2024 is likely to be the warmest year on record, marked by extreme weather and rising greenhouse gas emissions. This continuing trend underscores the need for urgent climate action to reduce emissions and transition to renewable energy sources. The impacts of climate change have been felt globally, with severe floods, scorching temperatures, and devastating wildfires affecting millions.
On Monday, the United Nations reported that climate change has led to unprecedented extreme weather events and record high temperatures in 2024. This year is anticipated to be the warmest on record, culminating a decade of remarkable heat. Greenhouse gas emissions have reached new peaks, contributing to future global warming. WMO Secretary General Celeste Saulo emphasized the daily manifestations of climate change with increased severe weather occurrences and substantial damage inflicted globally. He noted catastrophic flooding, rising temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius, and devastating wildfires that claimed numerous lives.
The 2015 Paris Agreement aimed to restrict global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, preferably limiting the rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. As of November, the World Meteorological Organization indicated that the January-September average surface air temperature was 1.54 degrees Celsius above the baseline, positioning 2024 to exceed the previous year’s records. UN Secretary General António Guterres reflected on the extreme heat experienced in the past decade, noting that the ten hottest years in history have all occurred within this timeframe.
Guterres urged the world to abandon its current trajectory, which he described as a “road to ruin,” and called for immediate action to dramatically reduce emissions and foster a transition to renewable energy sources. He emphasized the critical need for countries to prioritize climate goals, stating, “In 2025, countries must put the world on a safer path by dramatically slashing emissions, and supporting the transition to a renewable future. It is essential, and it is possible.” The WMO is expected to publish the worldwide temperature data for 2024 in January, and a more comprehensive report will be released in March.
The phenomenon of climate change has been increasingly alarming as evidenced by its direct impact on weather patterns globally. Over the last decade, the scientific community has repeatedly flagged the escalating frequency and severity of extreme weather incidents as a consequential effect of climate change. Notably, the Paris climate accords of 2015 represented a collective global effort to mitigate these effects by advocating for the limitation of global temperature increase. However, the latest reports highlight a worrying trend in greenhouse gas emissions and their role in exacerbating climate-related challenges.
In conclusion, the 2024 climatic events highlight a critical juncture for global climate action. As extreme weather becomes more commonplace, the need for robust emissions reduction strategies becomes imperative. The authoritative voices from the United Nations call for immediate transition efforts and significant behavioral changes by nations worldwide. The continued rise in temperatures serves as a stark reminder of the urgency surrounding climate mitigation and adaptation strategies to avert further catastrophic impacts.
Original Source: www.bangkokpost.com
