In 2024, climate change has led to record heat and extreme weather events, with greenhouse gas emissions remaining alarmingly high. The UN urges immediate action to reduce emissions and support transitions to renewable energy, citing 2024 as the warmest year recorded. The situation underscores the need to adhere to international climate agreements to avert future crises.
The United Nations warned that climate change has resulted in unprecedented extreme weather conditions and record temperatures in 2024, making it the warmest year globally to date. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported that greenhouse gas emissions have reached new heights, intensifying future warming. “Climate change plays out before our eyes on an almost daily basis in the form of increased occurrence and impact of extreme weather events,” stated WMO secretary-general Celeste Saulo, highlighting record rainfall and flooding, devastating wildfires, and tropical cyclones that have led to significant human and economic losses.
The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with an aspirational goal of 1.5 degrees. Current data shows that January to September 2024 was already 1.54 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial averages. In his New Year address, UN Secretary-General António Guterres remarked, “We must exit this road to ruin – and we have no time to lose,” emphasizing the urgent need for nations to commit to substantial emission reductions and a transition to renewable energy by 2025. The WMO plans to release a comprehensive climate report in January 2025, detailing this escalating climate crisis.
The topic of climate change has gained significant attention as the consequences of global warming become increasingly evident. The rise in global temperatures and greenhouse gas emissions poses severe risks, triggering extreme weather events such as heatwaves, floods, and storms. Countries around the world had committed to limiting temperature increases through international agreements like the Paris Accord. The importance of understanding these trends is critical to creating policies that can mitigate climate impacts and encourage a sustainable future.
In summary, the UN has identified 2024 as a pivotal year in the context of climate change, marked by record high temperatures and extreme weather phenomena globally. The emphasis on immediate action highlights the necessity for countries to adopt aggressive measures to curb emissions and shift towards renewable energy solutions. Failure to act promptly risks exacerbating the already dire repercussions of climate change, sealing a trajectory towards significant environmental and humanitarian crises in the coming years.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
