2024: The Year Humanity Breached the 1.5°C Global Warming Limit

Sub : Geo

Sec: Climatology

Why in News

2024 marked the first year when the mean global temperature exceeded the 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels, according to data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). This event signifies a critical juncture in the fight against climate change, raising alarms about its irreversible impacts.

2024 as the Hottest Year:

The global mean temperature in 2024 was 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time.
It averaged 15.1°C, which was 0.72°C higher than the 1991-2020 baseline and 0.12°C higher than 2023.
2024 also recorded 1.6°C above pre-industrial estimates (1850–1900 levels).
Sea Surface Temperature (SST): The annual SST across extra polar oceans hit a record high of 20.87°C, exceeding the 1991–2020 average by 0.51°C. SST levels from January to June 2024 were the highest for this period, while July to December ranked second, after 2023.
El Niño Effect: A significant El Niño event, beginning in June 2023, contributed to warming and its impacts lasted well into 2024.
Breaching 1.5°C for a single year does not indicate that the threshold has been permanently crossed.
Experts caution that if the trend continues for a decade or more, it would signify a permanent breach of this critical boundary.

Implications of Exceeding the 1.5°C Threshold:

The high rate of carbon emissions makes the current trajectory a point of no return.
Without substantial action, global temperatures may exceed 2°C by 2050.
Rising temperatures disproportionately impact developing economies, already burdened by frequent climate disasters.
Failed Talks at COP29 (Baku, Azerbaijan): Nations failed to agree on a financial framework to address the escalating costs of mitigating carbon emissions.

About Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S):

The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) is a key component of the European Union’s Copernicus Programme, dedicated to providing comprehensive climate information to support adaptation and mitigation efforts.
Established: 2014
Managed by: European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) on behalf of the European Commission.
Deliver authoritative information about past, present, and future climate conditions in Europe and globally.
Analyse historical climate data to track changes and trends. Provide seasonal forecasts and future climate projections under various greenhouse gas emission scenarios.
Offer free and open access to climate data, tools, and information to users worldwide.