This year is on track to be the hottest globally on record, experts predict, with temperatures likely to surpass the 1.5C threshold above pre-industrial levels for the first time. Analysis from the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) reveals that global temperatures up to October were 0.71C higher than the 1991-2020 average, making 2024 the warmest year so far and 0.16C above the same period in 2023. Experts are confident that 2024 will break previous temperature records, given that 2023 saw temperatures at 1.48C above pre-industrial levels. This rise above 1.5C signifies a significant moment in addressing the impacts of climate change.
Countries that are part of the Paris Agreement have committed to limiting temperature increases to below 2C, with a strong focus on staying below 1.5C to avoid severe consequences such as intensified storms, floods, droughts, heatwaves, habitat loss, and rising sea levels. The latest data shows that October 2024 recorded temperatures 1.65C above pre-industrial levels, making it the warmest October ever, except for October 2023. This marks the 15th time in 16 months that global temperatures have exceeded the 1.5C threshold.
As preparations are made for the upcoming UN climate talks at Cop29 in Azerbaijan, detailed analyses and datasets, including the comprehensive “ERA5” statistics compiled from various sources worldwide, have been released. Samantha Burgess, Deputy Director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, highlights that the year 2024 is likely to be the warmest on record and the first to surpass 1.5C above pre-industrial levels based on the ERA5 dataset. This announcement is expected to propel discussions and actions at Cop29 towards more ambitious climate goals.
In response to these alarming statistics, Mike Childs, Head of Science, Policy, and Research at Friends of the Earth, issues a stark warning calling for immediate and decisive action. He urges global leaders to swiftly transition towards sustainable, low-carbon economies to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Additionally, he stresses the importance of implementing measures to protect communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems from current and future climate-related challenges.
With the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) set to present a comprehensive review of global temperatures at Cop29, the urgency to address climate change is clearer than ever. As the world faces unprecedented challenges due to rising temperatures, the need for coordinated and effective actions to combat climate change has never been more pressing. It is crucial for nations to work together towards achieving climate targets and securing a sustainable future for all.