2024: The Hottest Year in Recorded History?

The World Meteorological Organisation warns that 2024 may become the hottest year ever recorded. The unprecedented temperature rise, fueled by El Nino and increased greenhouse gases, poses significant climate risks globally. Urgent climate action is required to protect vulnerable communities, address sea-level rise, and curb emissions.

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has sounded the alarm: 2024 is on track to become the hottest year in recorded history if current trends continue. This dire prediction coincides with the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), emphasizing the urgency of effective climate action.

The WMO's report, 'State of the Climate 2024,' reveals that the January-September period saw global temperatures 1.54 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, driven by a potent El Nino and rising greenhouse gases. Such conditions threaten to exacerbate climate risks worldwide, especially for vulnerable populations who are already experiencing the adverse effects.

Significant findings highlight alarming ocean heat content, glacial loss, and record-breaking greenhouse gas concentrations that have pushed CO₂ to 420 parts per million in 2023. With polar ice melting at unprecedented rates, the report underscores the urgent need to curb emissions and enhance climate resilience.

(With inputs from agencies.)