The EU climate monitor reports that September 2024 has been recorded as the second-warmest September globally, marking a stark warning of climate change effects. With increasing weather extremes, such as intense storms and heavy rainfall impacting various regions worldwide, this year is set to potentially break temperature records, with serious implications for international climate agreements. The report urges immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, September 2024 has been recorded as the second-warmest September globally, further indicating that this year is likely to become the hottest on record. The report stated that extreme weather events, including severe rainfall and intense storms, have become increasingly prevalent due to rising global temperatures attributed to climate change. The average global temperature observed in September was the second-highest recorded, surpassed only by September 2023. The Copernicus Climate Change Service compiles extensive data from satellites, ships, aircraft, and weather stations to accurately compute these figures. While last year holds the title for the hottest on record, predictions suggest that 2024 may surpass it due to the continuous rise in average temperatures. The implications of global warming extend beyond rising temperatures, as the enhanced retention of heat in the atmosphere and oceans has led to weather patterns that favor greater evaporation and increased water vapor, thereby exacerbating rainfall and storm severity. Notably, Samantha Burgess, the deputy director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, indicated that certain regions experienced an abrupt influx of precipitation, accumulating weeks’ worth of rain in a matter of days. She 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.” September entailed numerous weather disturbances; Hurricane Helene struck the southeastern United States, while Typhoon Krathon affected Taiwan. Additionally, central Europe faced flooding courtesy of Storm Boris, and excess rainfall caused turmoil in several Asian nations including Nepal and Japan, as well as parts of Africa. The Copernicus report also indicated that the months from January to September 2024 have already established new temperature records, suggesting a high likelihood that this year will surpass previous records. It was noted that fourteen out of the last fifteen months have recorded temperatures at least 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average, which is particularly alarming considering that international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, aim to restrict global temperature increases to well below 2 degrees Celsius. However, with current trajectories, projections show that global temperatures could rise by as much as 2.9 degrees Celsius by the year 2100. Historical climate data points to the current warming period as the hottest in 100,000 years, based on various scientific methods of climate reconstruction. Overall, the findings emphasize the urgent need for serious countermeasures against greenhouse gas emissions, which have risen sharply due to fossil fuel combustion, in the wake of international calls to reduce emissions by nearly fifty percent within this decade.
The report issued by the EU climate monitor highlights critical trends in global temperatures and their implications as climate change accelerates. Climate monitoring entities, such as Copernicus, use advanced data collection methods to analyze temperature changes and relate them to extreme weather patterns, underscoring the interaction between rising global temperatures and adverse meteorological events. Understanding these trends is critical for formulating effective environmental policies and responses to mitigate the effects of climate change.
In summary, the Copernicus Climate Change Service’s latest findings illustrate alarming trends in global temperatures, with September 2024 marking the second-warmest on record. The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, as well as rising temperatures, emphasize the pressing need for immediate action on climate change. It is imperative that global efforts to reduce emissions intensify, to avert the exacerbation of these critical climatic phenomena.
Original Source: phys.org
