RED LALERT: 2024 on Track to be Warmest Year on Record
Oru Leonard
A stark warning has been issued by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), as the latest State of the Climate 2024 Update reveals that this year is poised to become the warmest on record. This alarming trend is part of a larger pattern of accelerating climate change, fueled by ever-increasing greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere.
The update, released on the first day of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, paints a dire picture of the current state of the climate. The January-September 2024 global mean surface air temperature was a staggering 1.54°C above the pre-industrial average, with a margin of uncertainty of ±0.13°C.
This trend is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a decade-long pattern of warming. The period between 2015 and 2024 is expected to be the warmest ten years on record, with devastating consequences for communities and ecosystems around the world.
The update highlights several key indicators of climate change, including:
– Accelerating loss of ice from glaciers
– Rising sea levels
– Ocean heating
– Increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events
These findings are a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to mitigate climate change. The ambitions of the Paris Agreement are in grave danger, and immediate action is required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a more sustainable future.
The WMO’s State of the Climate 2024 Update serves as a clarion call for governments, businesses, and individuals to take immediate action to address the climate crisis. The time for denial, delay, and excuses is over; the time for action is now.
Source: WMO, Abuja, Nigeria Media
