2024: A Wake-Up Call as Global Temperatures Reach Unprecedented Levels
According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), 2024 has marked a record-breaking year in global temperature, registering as the warmest since records began, which dates back to 1850. This year has witnessed the alarming threshold where the average temperature surpasses preindustrial levels by 1.5 degrees Celsius, illustrating the urgency of the climate crisis. The data shows that the average surface air temperature in 2024 reached an astonishing 15.10°C, which is 0.72°C above the average recorded from 1991 to 2020, and 0.12°C higher than the previous record from 2023.
This data signifies that the average temperature is now 1.60°C higher than the estimated figures from the preindustrial period of 1850 to 1900. The findings assert that humanity is at a critical juncture; our response to the climate predicament must rely heavily on scientific insights. Carlo Buontempo, the director of C3S at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, emphasized that decisive and rapid action can still alter our climate trajectory.
Each month of 2024 has exceeded preindustrial temperature levels for 11 months straight, indicating a troubling trend. Notably, every month from January to June registered as warmer compared to any previous years, while from July to December, temperatures ranked as the second warmest after those recorded in 2023. Ports of concern include the records for August 2024, which tied with August 2023 as the hottest on file, highlighting the ongoing nature of this crisis as every year in the past decade falls within the top ten warmest years recorded.
The analysis raises the alarm of imminent surpassing of the 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement. Samantha Burguess, Strategic Climate Lead at ECMWF, noted that the average temperatures across the last two years have already eclipsed this limit, creating significant challenges for global climate governance.
The extreme thermal conditions have resulted in unprecedented heat waves and torrential rains, profoundly affecting millions worldwide. In stark contrast to the Antarctic and Australasia, every continent faced record-high temperatures, with Europe experiencing an average of 10.69°C in 2024—1.47°C higher than its 1991-2020 reference period and 0.28°C warmer than the previous record in 2020.
Moreover, average sea surface temperatures across extrapolated oceans also reached an all-time high of 20.87°C, surpassing the 1991-2020 average by 0.51°C. The continuing phenomena of elevated sea temperatures have been identified as primary contributors to raised global temperatures.
Amidst these conditions, record humidity was observed, with the total volume of water vapor in the atmosphere exceeding the previous record, standing at 5% above the 1991-2020 average. This increase in atmospheric moisture has played a critical role in amplifying extreme precipitation events while also promoting the development of severe storms and tropical cyclones.
The high humidity levels, paired with elevated temperatures, have significantly amplified thermal stress across much of the Northern Hemisphere. On July 10, 2024, nearly 44% of the Earth's surface was experiencing thermal stress—marking an alarming new annual record. This included an increase in regions associated with extreme thermal stress, creating conditions that demand urgent interventions to prevent heat-related ailments.
Conversely, persistent droughts in various territories have fostered environments susceptible to wildfires. In the Americas, protracted dry spells have led to large-scale fire incidents, resulting in Bolivia and Venezuela facing their highest recorded carbon emissions due to wildfires to date.
Overall, 2024 serves as an urgent reminder of the reality of climate change and the imperative need for collective action. As we look toward the near future, it is evident that the measures we take today will determine the viability of a sustainable planet for generations to come.
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