Climate Crisis Deepens: 2024 Set to Become Hottest Year on Record

The European Union’s climate monitor has reported that this year’s northern summer has seen record-breaking global temperatures, surpassing the previous record set in 2023. According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the data indicates that this year is likely to be the hottest on record.

The report highlights the devastating impact of heatwaves worldwide, exacerbated by human-induced climate change. Severe weather events have resulted in significant loss of life, economic disruption, and environmental damage. The consequences of climate change are clear, with greenhouse gas emissions from human activities warming the planet and increasing the severity and likelihood of climate disasters.

The average global temperature in August reached 16.82 degrees Celsius, exceeding the pre-industrial average by 1.5 degrees Celsius, a critical threshold for limiting the worst effects of climate change. While the climate phenomenon El Nino contributed to warming in 2023 and early 2024, its impact was less severe than reported.

China, the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, recorded its hottest August in six decades, with severe weather and heatwaves affecting much of the country. However, Beijing’s efforts to install renewable energy capacity and reduce steel production may lead to a rapid decrease in emissions.