European Union scientists predict that 2024 will be the hottest year recorded, with average global temperatures exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This alarming trend reflects ongoing extreme weather events attributed to climate change. Despite government pledges to achieve net-zero emissions, CO2 emissions are expected to hit record highs. As scientists monitor potential La Nina effects, they caution that dangerous temperature levels and climate risks will persist.
According to scientists from the European Union, 2024 is projected to become the hottest year on record, with exceptionally high temperatures expected to persist well into early 2025. This pronouncement by the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) follows a recent $300 billion agreement reached at UN climate talks, which has faced criticism from poorer nations as inadequate to address the escalating costs associated with climate-related disasters. Data from January to November confirms that average global temperatures have already surpassed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
Extreme weather events, exacerbated by climate change, have become increasingly prevalent in 2024. Severe droughts impacted regions in Italy and South America, while catastrophic floods affected Nepal, Sudan, and parts of Europe. Additionally, intense heatwaves in Mexico, Mali, and Saudi Arabia contributed to significant fatalities, and destructive cyclones struck the United States and the Philippines. Research has indicated that human-induced climate change has played a crucial role in determining the severity of these disasters.
Scientific analysis reveals that November 2024 ranked as the second warmest on record, trailing only behind November 2023. Julien Nicolas, a climate researcher with Copernicus, remarked, “We are still in near-record-high territory for global temperatures, and that is likely to stay at least for the next few months.” The primary contributor to climate change remains carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion. While numerous governments have committed to achieving net-zero emissions, current projections indicate that CO2 emissions are poised to reach unprecedented levels this year.
Looking ahead, scientists are observing the potential development of the La Nina weather pattern in 2025, which may briefly reduce global temperatures. However, any cooling effects would not reverse the long-term trend of anthropogenic warming. Friederike Otto, a senior lecturer at Imperial College London, cautioned that even if La Nina occurs, temperatures would continue to pose risks, stating, “We will still experience high temperatures, resulting in dangerous heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and tropical cyclones.” The records maintained by C3S date back to 1940 and are cross-referenced with global temperature data extending to 1850.
The ongoing climate crisis has prompted significant inquiry into its impacts on global temperatures and extreme weather patterns. As the world grapples with a series of natural disasters, scientists have concluded that anthropogenic climate change greatly influences these phenomena. Despite pledges from governments worldwide to mitigate emissions, actual trends indicate an increase in carbon dioxide levels, underscoring the urgency of addressing climate challenges. The Copernicus Climate Change Service serves as a critical resource in tracking and analyzing climate data, providing valuable insights into global environmental shifts.
In summary, 2024 is forecasted to be the hottest year on record, as indicated by the Copernicus Climate Change Service. This phenomenon correlates with widespread extreme weather events linked to climate change. Despite commitments by various countries to reduce emissions, projected CO2 levels continue to rise, leading to increasing urgency for effective climate action. Furthermore, even with potential cooling effects from La Nina, the world is unlikely to experience a return to ‘normal’ temperature conditions anytime soon.
Original Source: bdnews24.com