By Africa.com | Created at 2025-01-15 06:31:35 | Updated at 2025-01-15 10:25:13
4 hours ago
The year 2024 marked a grim milestone as global average temperatures exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time, according to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. While this does not mean the Paris Agreement’s long-term threshold was breached, the report underscores the escalating impacts of climate change. A strong El Niño and human-induced warming drove record-breaking heatwaves, wildfires, and extreme weather, with Europe and Asia bearing the brunt. July 10 saw 44% of the globe experiencing severe heat stress. Higher atmospheric moisture fueled devastating floods, notably in Valencia, Spain. Scientists emphasize that every fraction of a degree matters, as even temporary increments in temperature can increase the risk of irreversible damage, such as ice sheet loss. To avoid prolonged warming, urgent action is needed to cut emissions and adapt to the growing climate extremes.
Source: The Conversation
