September 2023 has been recorded as the second-warmest September globally, instilling concerns that 2024 might also become the hottest year on record. This period has seen an uptick in extreme weather events, which experts attribute to the overarching effects of climate change. The Copernicus Climate Change Service reports that sustained high temperatures are expected to continue unless significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are achieved.
In a significant report released by the EU climate monitoring service, Copernicus, it has been revealed that September 2023 ranks as the second-warmest September on record globally. This comes amid indications that 2024 is on track to potentially become the hottest year documented thus far. The report highlights extraordinary climatic events, including extreme rainfall and severe storms around the world, which have been exacerbated by rising global temperatures primarily driven by climate change. The Copernicus Climate Change Service, utilizing extensive data from satellites, ships, aircraft, and weather stations, noted that last month’s average global temperature was second only to that recorded in September 2022. The previous year already marked the hottest on record, but projections for 2024 suggest that we may witness even more alarming trends. Rising global temperatures entail more than increased heat; they lead to a cascade of consequences, such as heightened atmospheric moisture levels and intensified evaporation from warmer oceans, culminating in severe rainfall and storms. Notably, Samantha Burgess, the deputy director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, stated, “The extreme rainfall events of this month, something we are observing more and more often, have been made worse by a warmer atmosphere. The risk of extreme rainfall will continue to increase with rising temperatures.” The report also details a month characterized by significant weather disruptions, including Hurricane Helene impacting the southeastern United States, Typhoon Krathon striking Taiwan, and Storm Boris causing extensive flooding in central Europe. Additional severe weather events were reported across Asia and Africa, further illustrating the widespread effects of climate change. Copernicus statistics show that from January to September 2024, records have consistently been surpassed, indicating a near certainty that this year will surpass all previous temperature norms. An alarming trend reveals that fourteen of the past fifteen months have experienced an increase of at least 1.5 degrees Celsius above the average temperatures of the pre-industrial era (1850-1900). Though this performance does not breach conditions established in the Paris Agreement, scientists express concern that the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius is increasingly becoming unattainable. Despite international advocacy for substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from fossil fuels, these emissions have continued to rise. The UN Environment Programme forecasts a potential temperature increase of up to 2.9 degrees Celsius by 2100 if current trends persist. Meanwhile, data suggests that we are currently experiencing the warmest climatic conditions on Earth in the last 100,000 years, a situation further substantiated by historical records derived from ice cores, tree rings, and coral skeletons.
The ongoing climate crisis has prompted significant global attention, particularly as data continues to affirm a troubling upward trend in global temperatures. The recording of the second-warmest September on record emphasizes the urgent need for continued monitoring and action in response to climate change, which is manifesting in increasingly severe weather conditions worldwide. Rising temperatures and associated climate events, such as extreme rainfall and storms, pose severe implications for ecosystems, human habitation, and global food security. The increase in global temperatures is attributed largely to anthropogenic activities, namely the emissions of greenhouse gases resulting from burning fossil fuels.
In conclusion, the report by the EU climate monitor, Copernicus, indicates that September 2023 has become the second-warmest September ever recorded, reinforcing concerns regarding the trajectory of global temperatures as we advance into 2024. The reported extreme weather events not only mark a continuation of troubling trends but also emphasize the interconnectedness of global warming with severe climatic occurrences. The urgency for proactive measures to address greenhouse gas emissions cannot be overstated, particularly as scientific evidence mounts regarding the implications of failed efforts to curb rising temperatures.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
