2024 Climate Record: An Urgent Call to Action on Climate Change
In 2024, global temperatures reached record highs, exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, while greenhouse gas concentrations hit their highest in 800,000 years. The World Meteorological Organization’s report highlights the urgent need for transition to clean energy as extreme weather events proliferate, exacerbating humanitarian crises worldwide.
Climate change has emerged as the foremost challenge of the 21st century, necessitating urgent monitoring of its progression. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has reported that 2024 is likely the first year to exceed a 1.5°C increase above pre-industrial averages. Additionally, greenhouse gas levels have peaked at the highest concentrations observed in 800,000 years, raising alarms about the dire impacts on global climate patterns.
The global temperature has reached unprecedented levels, making 2024 the warmest year on record since accurate tracking began 175 years ago. Evidence shows that the average temperature was estimated at 1.55°C higher than between 1850 and 1900. This concerning data reflects a significant rise in temperature, with the last two years demonstrating a substantial increase compared to prior years, prompting urgent calls for action on climate change.
Notable contributing factors to this temperature rise include an El Niño event, reduced shipping pollution resulting in less cloud cover, and heightened solar activity. Researchers are exploring the causes behind the sharp temperature increases in 2023 and 2024, yet it remains evident that human-induced climate change is a critical driver behind these alarming statistics.
In addition to rising temperatures, we observe unprecedented levels of carbon dioxide at 427 parts per million. Sea levels have risen approximately 11 centimeters since the early 1990s, and recorded ocean temperatures are at their highest. Seasonal sea ice has dwindled significantly in both polar regions, with glacial melting and ocean acidification persisting at an alarming rate.
The year 2024 also witnessed extreme weather events, particularly notable in regions such as the Americas, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Natural disasters, including Hurricane Helene and Super Typhoon Yagi, triggered widespread destruction and loss of life. This interconnected web of extreme events has led to record displacement and an exacerbated humanitarian crisis, especially in vulnerable regions.
The report presents a grim narrative underscored by years of inaction on climate policy. The scientific understanding of climate change is well-established, yet the global response has yet to align with the urgency of the situation. As greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, the window for mitigating catastrophic outcomes narrows, emphasizing the critical need to transition towards sustainable energy solutions.
The alarming trends documented for 2024 underscore the pressing necessity for global action against climate change. Rising temperatures, unprecedented greenhouse gas emissions, and extreme weather events illustrate that humanity must urgently pivot from fossil fuels to clean energy solutions. Without immediate and effective responses, the already dire situation is expected to worsen, impacting millions worldwide, particularly in vulnerable regions.
Original Source: eveningreport.nz
