The year 2024 is projected to be the warmest on record, with extreme weather events driven by climate change. Greenhouse gas emissions have reached new heights, leading to severe impacts across the globe. The UN and WMO urge immediate global action to mitigate climate impacts, with significant reductions in emissions necessary by 2025.
The year 2024 has been marked by an unprecedented surge of extreme weather events and record high temperatures, according to the United Nations. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported that greenhouse gas emissions have escalated to new peaks, contributing to ongoing global warming. This year is on track to become the hottest recorded, continuing a troubling trend of rising temperatures over the past decade. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized the urgent consequences of climate change, with devastating storms, floods, and wildfires affecting communities globally. Tropical cyclones, particularly a recent one in Mayotte, have exacerbated human suffering and economic damage across numerous nations.
The implications of climate change are increasingly evident, as evident from the latest data indicating that the average surface temperature from January to September was 1.54 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The WMO has cautioned that 2024 may surpass 2023, which was already 1.45 degrees Celsius hotter than before industrial activity began. As the WMO prepares to release its official global temperature report in January, the urgency of the situation cannot be overstated.
In his recent New Year address, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated the alarming reality of climate change, affirming that the last decade has witnessed remarkably high temperatures. He described this phenomenon as a “climate breakdown in real time,” emphasizing the critical need for immediate action to mitigate emissions and transition towards renewable energy sources. He urged nations to significantly reduce emissions by 2025 to protect future generations from the ravages of climate change.
In recent years, climate change has prominently featured in global discussions, with increasing evidence of its effects manifested in extreme weather patterns and rising global temperatures. The WMO and the UN have been at the forefront of these discussions, revealing alarming statistics about temperatures and greenhouse gas emissions. The Paris Agreement set ambitious targets for limiting global warming, but the escalating data suggests that these objectives are becoming increasingly difficult to meet without immediate and substantial intervention from world governments.
The findings of 2024 reinforce the urgent need for global initiatives to combat climate change. As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, international collaboration is vital for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing renewable energy solutions. The statements from UN leadership underscore this imperative, calling for concerted efforts to avert further degradation of our climate. Without prompt action, the trajectory may lead to irreversible damage, emphasizing a collective responsibility to ensure a sustainable future.
Original Source: www.bangkokpost.com
