The latest figures from the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service reveal that global temperatures have averaged 1.64 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels over the past year, marking a “large and continuing shift in our climate”. This alarming trend is a grave warning that the world is on a path of catastrophic climate change.
For the 13th consecutive month, June 2024 has set a record-breaking global temperature, with the average temperature for the month being 1.5 degrees above the estimated June average for 1850-1900. This threshold is critical, as it is a benchmark for measuring the extent of human-induced temperature rises. The consecutive months of record-breaking temperatures are a stark reminder that the climate is rapidly warming.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service warns that if humans do not halt the release of greenhouse gases, records will continue to fall. The average global temperature for the past 12 months is the highest on record, and it has been 1.64 degrees above pre-industrial levels. The situation is equally concerning for sea surface temperatures, with June 2024 experiencing the highest value on record, making it the 15th consecutive month of record warmth.
According to Carlo Buontempo, director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the current trend is not a statistical anomaly; it highlights a fundamental shift in the climate. “Even if this specific streak of extremes ends at some point, we are bound to see new records being broken as the climate continues to warm. This is inevitable, unless we stop adding greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and the oceans.”
Record-Breaking Global Temperatures Highlight Urgent Need for Climate Action
The consequences of climate change are far-reaching and devastating, with tolerable heatwaves, debilitating cyclones, and ecosystem losses plaguing the planet. Teresa Anderson, global climate justice lead at ActionAid International, emphasizes the fundamental injustice of climate change, where the poorest countries, who have done the least to contribute to the problem, are forced to bear the worst impacts. “This is a terrible warning that climate action has to move into a much higher gear,” she urges, stressing that the wealthiest polluting nations must stop fuelling the fire and agree to pay for the damage they are causing.
The increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, coupled with the relentless warming of the planet, underscores the imperative for immediate and drastic climate action. The world can no longer afford to delay addressing the root causes of climate change, which are closely tied to the continued reliance on fossil fuels and the destruction of natural habitats. As the climate continues to shift towards unprecedented heights, it is essential to take bold and collective action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the worst impacts of climate change.
