2024 Is on Track to Be Earth’s Hottest Year Here’s What’s at Stake

Introduction

According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service of the European Union, the year 2024 is the hottest year on record thanks to plenty of evidence showing that the increase of the global average temperature in the forecasts is anticipated to exceed the notable 1.5 degree Celsius warming limit compared to pre-industrial levels.

 In addition, this information is released while the world is preparing for the COP29, the yearly UN climate change meeting, to take place in Azerbaijan. Consequently, the information comes in as an alarm bell on the urgency to take bold measures against climate change by reducing the emissions that contribute towards global warming and threaten people’s existence.

Rising Global Temperatures and the 1.5°C Threshold

The 1.5°C Benchmark–Why It Matters

The increase is a threshold of which the international community was concerned, as established by the Paris climate accords to avoid an increase in average global surface temperatures to “well below” 2ºC and as close to 1.5ºC as possible. This limit is important as where this limit has gone past, this will signal the end of life as human beings have known for the longest time, upending the normal weather patterns, causing flooding and rising ocean levels, and even extinction of species. 

As per Copernicus, 2024 is quite likely to have an annual average temperature of 1.55 degrees Celsius or over with respect to the historical baseline of 1850-1900 and therefore will make a debut with breaking the annual temperature records making 2024 the hottest year ever recorded.

A New Record-Breaking Year: How 2024 Compares

January 2024 was the third warmest month on record following January 2023 as it surpassed the average values of the month by 1.65oC. It is also the 15th month out of the last 16 months during which the average global temperature has exceeded 1.5 degrees celsius. Such a trend demonstrates why 2024 is expected to bec

Impact of Rising Temperatures on Climate Events

Extreme Weather on the Rise

The phenomenon of global warming has become more than just a concept as its effects are gradually being felt in climate change related natural disasters around the globe. Parts of Spain recently experienced excessive rains causing flash floods while Hurricane Milton, which had been attributed to the warmer global temperature, made its way into the United States, causing destruction due to heavy rainfall and storms. 

Documentation of the correlation between rise in temperatures and occurrence of extreme weather phenomena has been extensive with research proving that the warmer it gets, the more water vapour in the atmosphere which leads to increased intensity and frequency of rains. These climate changes are also worsened by the present year, which is said to be the hottest year on record.

Disproportionate Effects on Vulnerable Regions

Such weather patterns are worrying for these regions and people who have existing risks. For example, most island countries lose land due to rising sea levels, which put their survival to risk, while poorer communities tend to be more at risk of being relocated as a result of disasters and often have no means whatsoever to recuperate. 

With the rise in global temperatures combined with the predicted hottest year in history, these areas are unlikely to survive unless global strategies to reduce emissions are successful.

COP29 in Azerbaijan

COP29 Goals and Agenda

The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29), which will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan next week, will engage climate stakeholders in conversations about the issues that require urgent attention in addressing climate change. 

A key theme of discussion at the Conference of Parties under the UNFCCC (COP29) is planned financing for climate action by the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), which is primarily aimed at mobilising resources to assist developing countries in adapting to and addressing the impacts of climate change. Given that 2024 is likely to become the hottest year on record, it is possible that COP29 could be the moment to breathe new life into the promises under the Paris Agreement.

Debates on Climate Finance and Responsibility

In the last few years, the climate finance debate has become very heated, especially now that the current $100 billion pledge is set to expire. It is claimed by developing countries that they should pay less and that richer countries should provide climate finance support. However, a few developed countries have come up with counterclaims and believe countries with economies like that of China should also render climate financing. 

Also, since these countries are the most vulnerable to internal among others disruptions due to climate change and we are fast approaching the hottest year in history, COP29’s verdict on climate finance will be of much importance in assisting such countries to cope with the consequences of global warming.

The Call for Immediate Action

With the nearing of COP29, the 2024 temperature statistics show that the situation lacks any room for doubt, a volcano with lots of land and people around it erupts and destroys the housing et al., therefore actionable readiness is imperative. This year, leaders of climate policy cannot afford to forget the need for prioritising and addressing the issues of the available targets for reduction of emissions and financing of the exposed countries. This year’s turning point, however, should serve as a gentle reminder that the drawbacks of climate change—to be experienced in the years ahead—can be avoided only through collaborative global effort.

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