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According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), the global average temperature soared to unprecedented heights last month, signifying a disturbing trend.
This continuous surge in heat has persisted for 12 consecutive months, setting a remarkable streak of global warming that poses significant challenges. The data suggests that 2024 may surpass 2023 as the hottest year on record.
Unprecedented streak
“This is more than a statistical oddity and it highlights a large and continuing shift in our climate,” expressed Carlo Buontempo, the director of the service.
As the world grapples with this alarming pattern, Buontempo emphasized that even if this specific streak of extreme temperatures ceases, new records will inevitably be shattered as the climate continues to warm.
C3S, a scientific organization under the EU’s space program, compiled data from satellites, ships, aircraft, and weather stations to arrive at this disconcerting conclusion.
The findings reveal that June 2024 marked the 12th consecutive month with temperatures surpassing 1.5°C above the average between 1850 and 1900—a striking indication of the planet’s changing climate.
Copernicus climate change service’s findings
The data provided by the EU climate monitor highlights the ongoing shift in global temperatures. However, it does not imply that the 1.5°C warming limit agreed upon in the Paris Agreement of 2015 has been breached.
This goal is measured over decades, not individual years. Nonetheless, Copernicus recently stated an 80 percent likelihood that Earth’s annual average temperatures will temporarily exceed the 1.5°C mark within the next five years.
The severe consequences of this record-breaking heatwave were evident during the Haj pilgrimage, where over 1,000 lives were tragically claimed by heat-related illnesses. These distressing incidents underscore the urgency of addressing the global warming crisis.
Heatwave claims lives during Haj Pilgrimage
Coinciding with the record-breaking heatwave, the El Niño phenomenon—a natural climate pattern—has further intensified the scorching conditions. Consequently, ocean temperatures have surged to unprecedented levels, adding to the concerning climate trends.
June witnessed 16 consecutive months of new highs in sea surface temperatures, a development described by experts as “striking.” This alarming rise in ocean temperatures poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems and underscores the need for urgent action.
The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that a 1.5°C increase in global temperatures could result in the loss of 70-90 percent of tropical coral reefs, while a 2°C increase could lead to their complete extinction.
As the oceans cover 70 percent of the Earth’s surface and absorb 90 percent of the additional heat caused by climate-warming emissions, their well-being is crucial for our planet’s overall health.
In the face of this unprecedented global heatwave, the need for immediate action to address climate change becomes even more apparent. Let us strive to protect our planet and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.
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