UN Warns of Decade of Deadly Heat as 2024 Marks Hottest Year on Record
The UN has declared that the past decade has been the hottest on record, culminating in 2024. Secretary-General António Guterres noted the significant role of human activities in this trend, which has led to multiple extreme weather events and unprecedented greenhouse gas levels. The WMO emphasized the need for international cooperation to confront the escalating dangers posed by climate change and extreme heat statistics for 2024 will be officially released in January.
The United Nations has declared that the world has experienced a “decade of deadly heat,” with 2024 marking the culmination of ten years of record-breaking temperatures. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that the past decade has witnessed the ten hottest years in recorded history. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is expected to release official temperature statistics for 2024 in January. The WMO highlighted that last year was likely the warmest on record, driven by human-induced factors leading to severe weather extremes and unprecedented levels of greenhouse gases, which are enhancing the caloric retention of the atmosphere for years to come.
Secretary-General Guterres remarked, “I can officially report that we have just endured a decade of deadly heat. This is climate breakdown, in real time. We must exit this road to ruin and we have no time to lose.” He urged nations to significantly reduce emissions and accelerate the transition to renewable energy by 2025. The WMO’s Secretary-General, Celeste Saulo, noted that every increment of warming exacerbates climate extremes, stating that temperature increases represent only a fraction of the issues at hand.
In 2024, unprecedented events such as record rainfall, devastating floods, and extreme heat continued to affect countries globally. These conditions resulted in catastrophic human and economic consequences, particularly noted in the French territory of Mayotte and numerous other nations subjected to intense heat and wildfires. According to a WMO report, climate change was found to have intensified 26 out of 29 extreme weather occurrences examined by World Weather Attribution (WWA), leading to significant fatalities and mass displacements. The report determined that 41 additional days of dangerous heat were experienced this year alone due to climate change’s persistent influence.
The WMO underscored the pressing necessity for collaborative action among nations and international entities to address the escalating threats posed by extreme heat and climate anomalies.
The article discusses the alarming impact of climate change as highlighted by the United Nations in the context of years of rising global temperatures. It focuses on Secretary-General António Guterres’ announcement regarding the culmination of a decade marked by record-high temperatures and severe climate events. The WMO’s role in monitoring and reporting on weather extremes is also central to understanding the broader implications of climate change and the urgent need for international cooperation to mitigate its effects.
In conclusion, the world is experiencing a critical juncture due to the effects of climate change, characterized by a decade of unprecedented heat events and their devastating consequences on human life and the environment. Urgent action is needed from nations worldwide to implement significant emissions reductions and embrace renewable energy solutions to avert further climate catastrophes. With the intertwining of extreme weather phenomena and human impact, there is a clear imperative for global collaboration to address and manage these severe risks.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
