Analysis suggests that in 2023 the global average temperature remained above 1.5°C higher than pre-industrial levels for a record number of days – 86 days. Global Warming massively exceeds the previous record set in 2016. It was still concerning, sitting around 1.4°C above the 1850-1900 average.
In a significant development, global warming has surpassed the crucial 1.5 degrees Celsius mark for an entire year, as reported by the EU’s climate service. This milestone, though not unexpected, marks a step closer to breaching the landmark set by the Paris Agreement.
From February 2023 to January 2024, temperatures soared, leading to extreme weather events like storms, droughts, and fires. This was partly due to climate change and an El Niño weather pattern that warms the Pacific Ocean.
While the average global temperature for the whole year wasn’t quite at 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, it was still concerning, sitting around 1.4°C above the 1850-1900 average.
Prof Liz Bentley, from the Royal Meteorological Society, highlights the gravity of the situation, stressing the need for decisive measures. Achieving the 1.5°C target is vital as it signifies a safer threshold to avoid catastrophic consequences like intense heatwaves and rising sea levels.
Ultimate Solution
Despite the impending end of El Niño, which may temporarily stabilize temperatures, the long-term trajectory indicates continued warming without significant intervention. Samantha Burgess of Copernicus underscores the importance of rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to halt temperature rise.
While the current rate of emissions could lead to crossing the 1.5°C threshold within the next decade, experts emphasize that humanity still holds the power to influence the trajectory. Progress in green technologies and the pursuit of net-zero carbon emissions offer hope for mitigating further warming.
Ultimately, the choices made today will determine the extent of future climate impacts. Despite the challenges, researchers remain optimistic that collective action can avert the most dire consequences of climate change.
Despite efforts, the world is still warming, with January 2024 being the hottest on record. To better understand these changes, NASA launched a new satellite called Pace, which will study oceans and the atmosphere in great detail. This mission hopes to improve weather forecasts and monitor Earth’s changes as temperatures rise.
