2024 is on track to set a troubling record as the hottest year since climate data collection began, according to scientists from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). With average global temperatures 0.71°C above the 1991–2020 baseline, the year now surpasses previous records. This figure is 0.16°C warmer than the same period in 2023, making it “virtually certain” that 2024 will break historical records.
Samantha Burgess, C3S deputy director, remarked that average temperatures would need to plummet to nearly zero for the rest of 2024 to avoid this record-breaking outcome. “After 10 months of 2024, it is now virtually certain that 2024 will be the warmest year on record,” she said. Burgess added that this year is likely to surpass the critical 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels—a mark set by the Paris Agreement to limit severe climate impact.
A Landmark Moment for Global Temperatures
A sustained breach of the 1.5°C limit has significant implications. Although a single year above this threshold does not mean the Paris Agreement has failed, it highlights how close we are to a permanent, long-term breach. “This milestone should be a catalyst for raising climate ambitions at COP29,” Burgess added, referencing the upcoming climate conference.
Related: June Breaks Global Temperature Records for 13th Month in Row as Earth Exceeds 1.5C Limit for a Year
High temperatures continued throughout October, with global averages reaching 15.25°C, making it the second-warmest October ever recorded, just behind October 2023. In Europe, the month’s average of 10.83°C marked the fifth warmest October for the continent, with temperatures above average across nearly all regions. The year’s summer months saw unprecedented heat, with records broken worldwide and the Mediterranean experiencing a heatwave deemed “virtually impossible” without human-induced climate change.
The Warming Trend and Global Climate Goals
Scientists have consistently warned that without more aggressive climate policies, global temperatures could soar, leading to severe consequences. A recent UN report projected that under current policies, the world is on track for a staggering 3.1°C increase by 2100.
As 2024 nears the end, the unprecedented temperatures reinforce the urgency of stronger climate action. The frequency of extreme temperatures is a stark reminder that climate change is progressing faster than anticipated. Addressing this trend will be central to discussions at COP29, as leaders work to forge more effective climate policies and strategies.
Source: Euronews
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