In 2024, climate change has caused record temperatures and extreme weather, prompting warnings from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) about cascading impacts globally. The year is projected to be the warmest on record, with significant rainfall, flooding, and wildfires affecting communities and economies. Experts stress the urgent need for action to transition to renewable energy and prepare for a future facing severe climate challenges.
In 2024, the repercussions of climate change have become increasingly evident, with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) emphasizing the extensive “cascading impacts from mountain peaks to ocean depths and on communities, economies, and the environment.” Experts predict that 2024 will be the hottest year on record following a decade defined by unprecedented global temperatures driven by human activities. This assertion precedes the release of the consolidated global temperature data and the comprehensive State of the Global Climate report, scheduled for March.
According to WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo, even slight increases in global temperature heighten climate extremes, which in turn elevate associated risks. The past year has witnessed catastrophic rainfall, severe flooding, and substantial loss of life globally, affecting communities across multiple continents. Tropical cyclones inflicted heavy human and economic losses, particularly in areas such as Mayotte in the Indian Ocean. Furthermore, relentless heatwaves, with temperatures surpassing 50°C, and rampant wildfires have continued to devastate multiple regions.
A recent investigation by World Weather Attribution and Climate Central revealed that climate change has exacerbated nearly all extreme weather events in 2024. The report, titled “When Risks Become Reality: Extreme Weather in 2024,” concluded that climate change added up to 41 days of extreme heat, significantly threatening human health and ecosystems. Friederike Otto, the lead at WWA, has pointed out that while we possess the necessary knowledge and technology to shift to renewable energy and mitigate deforestation, it is pivotal to prioritize these actions over potentially misleading technologies such as carbon dioxide removal.
Moreover, the WMO and UNESCO are spearheading initiatives for the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation in 2025, which aims to underscore the critical role glaciers, snow, and ice play in the climate system. The latest data confirms that while occasional short-term advancements of glaciers have been recorded, they are predominantly retreating at an accelerated rate amid global warming.
The 2024 Arctic Report Card noted alarming changes in the Arctic, including wildfires, tundra greening, and increased winter precipitation, which further underscore the urgent need for climate preparedness. According to Julie Arrighi, Director of Programmes at the Climate Centre, the current state of extreme weather exemplifies our lack of readiness for a world experiencing 1.5°C of warming. It is crucial for all nations to enhance their climate adaptation strategies by 2025 to mitigate the risk of further loss of life and economic damage.
The ongoing trends signal an urgent need for global collaborative efforts to combat climate change effectively, ensuring that timely measures are enacted to protect communities and ecosystems worldwide.
The topic revolves around the critical and growing impacts of climate change observed in 2024. According to the World Meteorological Organization, we are witnessing unprecedented global temperature rises and extreme weather events that threaten ecosystems and human societies alike. This climate crisis calls attention to the necessity for immediate action and preparedness against the repercussions of climate change, particularly as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation approaches in 2025 to emphasize the depletion of crucial ice resources.
The dire situation regarding climate change highlighted by the WMO conveys a pressing need for collective global action to combat its extensive impacts. As 2024 sets records for high temperatures and extreme weather events, it becomes evident that a strategic focus on transitioning to renewable energy, enhancing climate resiliency, and conserving glacial environments is imperative for protecting communities and ecosystems from escalating risks.
Original Source: www.climatecentre.org
