2024 became the first year to exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, according to C3S. With each month recorded as exceptionally warm, global temperatures averaged 1.6 degrees higher than the pre-industrial benchmark. Despite governments’ commitments under the Paris Agreement, rising emissions necessitate immediate action to limit warming and mitigate climate change impacts observed worldwide.
On January 10, scientists announced that 2024 marked the first complete year where global temperatures surpassed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, as reported by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). C3S director Carlo Buontempo described the significant monthly temperature records for 2024, highlighting that each month was the warmest or second warmest since records began. The average temperature for 2024 was determined to be 1.6 degrees Celsius higher than during the period of 1850-1900, known as the pre-industrial period. Despite reaching this milestone, the breach does not directly contravene targets set by the 2015 Paris Agreement, which focuses on long-term average temperatures. However, rising greenhouse gas emissions signal that imminent action is necessary to avert further temperature increases.
The announcement regarding the record temperature in 2024 marks a significant moment in the ongoing discourse about climate change and its ramifications. This event signals not only an alarming trend in global warming but also highlights the urgency with which governments and organizations must act to mitigate further increases in greenhouse gas emissions. Given the substantial impacts observed already—ranging from wildfires to extreme flooding—there is considerable pressure on political leaders and policymakers to adhere to pledges made under international agreements such as the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global temperature rise. The scientific community continues to emphasize the critical role that human activities play in climate change, and the necessity for immediate and comprehensive action to address this crisis.
In conclusion, the reveal that 2024 was the first year above 1.5 degrees Celsius in global temperature increase serves as a dire warning regarding the trajectory of climate change. The discussion surrounding this milestone underscores the urgency for governments to actively pursue measures to curtail greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability. As the effects of climate change manifest increasingly across the globe, the responsibility to act is shared by both political leaders and the broader community.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
