New research indicates that human-induced climate change has resulted in an additional average of 41 days of dangerously hot conditions globally in 2024. This escalation emphasizes the need for urgent action to transition away from fossil fuels to mitigate health risks and extreme weather events. Key recommendations include enhancing early warning systems and providing support to developing nations. Extreme weather has already contributed to thousands of fatalities and widespread displacement this year, signaling a critical juncture in climate action.
Recent research conducted by World Weather Attribution and Climate Central reveals that human-induced climate change has resulted in an average increase of 41 days of dangerously high temperatures in 2024. This alarming trend threatens both human health and ecological systems. The study emphasizes the urgent necessity for a swift transition from fossil fuels to mitigate future occurrences of severe weather events such as heat waves, droughts, wildfires, storms, and flooding. The report also highlights that climate change enhanced 26 out of 29 weather events analyzed, contributing to over 3,700 fatalities and widespread displacement of populations.
The lead researcher. Friederike Otto, a senior lecturer in Climate Science at Imperial College London, stresses that the repercussions of climate change have never been more evident or distressing than in the current year. She noted the extreme weather patterns leading to significant loss of life and widespread suffering across the globe, citing instances such as devastating floods in Spain and hurricanes in the United States. Otto posits that the primary conclusion is unequivocal: the global community must cease reliance on fossil fuels to avoid exacerbating the climate crisis.
The report asserts that 2024 is projected to be one of the hottest years on record, continuing a trend initiated in 2023. Rising temperatures have been documented over the first half of this year, including the hottest day recorded on July 22. The report warns that unless the international community rapidly transitions from oil, gas, and coal, the escalation in dangerous heat days is inevitable, posing grave risks to public health. Measures crucial for addressing climate change include a prompt shift away from fossil fuels, enhanced early warning systems, real-time data collection regarding heat-related fatalities, and financial support for developing nations to bolster their resilience against climate impacts.
Julie Arrighi, from the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, urged that a global acceleration of adaptive strategies toward climate change is essential for 2025, emphasizing the inadequacy of current efforts in preparation for climate impacts associated with a 1.3-1.5°C increase in global temperatures. Ben Clarke of the Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial College London described the findings of the annual report as a “failed scorecard”, underscoring the lack of sufficient global emission reductions and preparations against climate effects, which has resulted in unprecedented extreme weather incidents.【Anadolu Agency】
The report released by World Weather Attribution and Climate Central sheds light on the severe consequences of climate change induced by human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels. It highlights the urgent need to transition to sustainable energy sources to mitigate the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. The study indicates that climate change plays a critical role in affecting global weather patterns, with significant consequences for health, safety, and livelihoods.
The evidence presented in the report calls for immediate action from all nations to address the impending climate crisis. As extreme weather events grow more severe, the reported 41 extra days of dangerous heat in 2024 serves as a wake-up call for the international community. To foster a more sustainable future, it is imperative that countries commit to retiring fossil fuel reliance while prioritizing adaptive strategies to respond to the climate emergency that threatens human life and ecological stability.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
