by Javed baloch source: BBC News
images source: Unsplash
According to a BBC News report citing data from the European Copernicus Climate Change Service, 2024 is now “virtually certain” to be the warmest year since records have been kept.
Global average temperatures for 2024 are most likely to breach the global warming limit of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Without any major sharp decline in the world’s temperature in the remaining weeks, 2024 would be the 1st calendar year to pass the 1.5°C Paris Agreement limit and become the hottest year on record.
Copernicus data projects that 2024 is most likely to see the world’s temperature rise to at least 1.55 °C warmer than pre-industrial times, beating 2023’s record of 1.48°C.
Climate change has become one of the greatest challenges faced by humankind. The change in the world’s climate is mainly driven and intensified by human actions.
Fossil fuel combustion, vehicle emissions, agricultural practices, industries, urbanization, and deforestation are some of the key drivers of climate change.
"The warmer temperatures [are making] storms more intense, heatwaves hotter and heavy rainfall more extreme, with clearly seen consequences for people all around the world,” Ed Hawkins, professor of climate science at the University of Reading told BBC.