New Delhi: As climate change intensifies, global temperatures are reaching unprecedented levels, sparking serious concerns among meteorologists and climate scientists. This year, 2024 is on track to become the hottest year ever recorded, with the effects of rising temperatures already being felt around the world. In India, unusual heat levels are anticipated even in November a stark departure from historical norms, signaling a potentially dangerous new trend for the country and beyond.
A recent report from the European climate agency Copernicus has set off alarm bells by revealing that the average global temperature has surged to at least 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This is only the second time in history that October has set a new record for global heat, and projections suggest November may follow suit. Such figures have sparked widespread concern, with Copernicus Director Carlo Buontempo stressing that the continuous rise in greenhouse gases is propelling global temperatures to dangerous levels. Without decisive action to curb emissions, Buontempo warns, the trend will continue unabated, escalating the climate crisis.
A Warning from 2015 Revisited: Global Leaders Called for Urgent Action on Climate Limits
The Copernicus report sheds light on the severe implications of long-term temperature fluctuations, which world leaders had already addressed during the 2015 United Nations Climate Talks in Paris. Back then, they urged countries to prevent the worst effects of climate change by committing to limit average temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, with current data showing a rise above this threshold, the urgency of achieving climate goals has never been greater.
Copernicus Deputy Director Samantha Burgess Warns of a Record-Breaking Year
Samantha Burgess, Deputy Director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, stated that data from the past 10 months confirms 2024 is almost certain to become the hottest year on record. This alarming milestone is expected to be a critical topic at the upcoming Climate Change Conference, driving renewed focus on meeting climate goals. As temperatures rise, regions such as Europe, Northern Canada, and the American Midwest have been especially affected, experiencing temperatures well above seasonal averages.
The extreme heat now observed worldwide emphasizes the pressing need for international collaboration on climate action. With each new record, the impact of greenhouse gases on global temperatures becomes more evident, underscoring the call for urgent measures to mitigate further damage and address the climate emergency facing our planet.
