Summer 2024 was hottest on record, EU climate change monitor says

Summary

The European Climate Monitoring Service has reported that the summer of 2024 was the hottest on record globally, continuing the trend from 2023. With 13 out of the last 14 months being the warmest ever, the world has surpassed the 1.5°C warming threshold set by the Paris Agreement. El Niño and high sea surface temperatures are contributing factors. The report also highlights the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme climate events, such as heatwaves and wildfires, with significant carbon emissions from fires in Canada and Brazil.

Takeaways

• 🌡️ The summer of 2024 was the hottest on record globally, from June to August, according to Copernicus Climate Change Service.
• 📈 The trend of increasing global temperatures from 2023 has continued, indicating that the previous year's record was not an anomaly.
• 🌍 August 2024 was particularly notable as the warmest August ever, tying with August 2023.
• ⚠️ The global average temperature has now exceeded the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold set by the Paris Agreement for 13 consecutive months.
• 🌊 The lingering effects of a strong El Niño event from the previous year have contributed to the elevated temperatures, especially in sea surface temperatures.
• 🔥 The heat has led to more frequent and intense extreme climate events, including heatwaves and extreme precipitation.
• 🌳 Wildfires, both in Canada and globally, have been tracked by Copernicus, with significant carbon emissions released into the atmosphere.
• 🌎 Smoke from wildfires in western Canada and the north has been observed traveling across the Atlantic to Europe.
• 🇧🇷 Brazil also experienced significant wildfires in sensitive regions, which are being closely monitored.
• 🌿 The data serves as a warning that urgent action is needed to address the ongoing climate crisis and its impacts on global populations.

Q & A

What was the significance of the summer of 2024 according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service?

The summer of 2024 was the hottest summer ever recorded globally from June to August, confirming that the trend from the previous year was not an anomaly and that the trend of increasing temperatures is ongoing.

How does the summer of 2024 compare to the previous year in terms of global temperatures?

The summer of 2024 was on par with the summer of 2023, which was the hottest year on record, indicating that the global average temperature has remained at a record level.

What is the threshold of warming mentioned in the Paris Agreement, and has it been exceeded?

The threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius warming mentioned in the Paris Agreement has been exceeded for the last 13 months, signaling a critical point in global warming.

What role did El Nino play in the high temperatures experienced in 2024?

El Nino, a weather pattern experienced in the previous year, drove up temperatures and left a lot of warmth in the world, particularly in the seas, which contributed to the high temperatures even after it passed.

What is the average sea surface temperature mentioned in the script, and how does it contribute to global warming?

The average sea surface temperature is about 20.1 degrees Celsius, and since the seas cover about 70% of the Earth, they give off a lot of heat, contributing to global warming.

What are the implications of the ongoing high temperatures according to the senior scientist interviewed?

The ongoing high temperatures are a warning that urgent action is needed and a sign that as the climate continues to warm, more frequent and intense extreme climate events, such as heatwaves and extreme precipitation events, will occur.

How does the script describe the impact of wildfires on carbon emissions?

Wildfires, particularly in Canada and other parts of the world, are releasing vast amounts of carbon, contributing to global warming and climate change.

What visualization tool did Copernicus use to track wildfires and their impact?

Copernicus used an animation to visualize the smoke generated by wildfires in western Canada and the north, showing how it traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe.

What other region besides Canada experienced significant wildfires as mentioned in the script?

Brazil also experienced significant wildfires in a sensitive region, which is being monitored closely for its impact on global carbon emissions.

What does the script suggest about the future of extreme climate events due to the ongoing trend of global warming?

The script suggests that the ongoing trend of global warming will lead to more frequent and intense extreme climate events, which will have consequences for populations around the world.