In a significant climate milestone, July 2024 has been recorded as the second hottest month in history, concluding a 13-month streak of unprecedented global temperature records. The data, released by meteorological agencies, underscores the escalating urgency of climate change and its widespread impacts.
According to a monthly report on Thursday, Copernicus highlighted that the month was 1.48°C above the pre-industrial reference of 1850-1990, while the last 12 months were 1.64°C above the pre-industrial average due to climate change.
“This El Nino has ended but this magnitude of global temperature rises, the big picture is quite similar to where we were a year ago,” Julien Nicolas, a climate researcher with Copernicus, told Reuters.
“We are not done with temperature records causing heatwaves … We know this long-term warming trend can be with a very high level of confidence related to the human impact on climate,” she added.
Throughout the month, regions across the globe experienced extreme heat waves, with temperatures soaring to record highs. Scientists attribute this persistent rise in global temperatures to a combination of natural climate variability and human-induced factors, primarily the continued emission of greenhouse gases.
The relentless heat has had profound consequences, ranging from severe droughts and wildfires to detrimental impacts on agriculture and public health. Many cities reported increased instances of heat-related illnesses, prompting authorities to implement emergency measures to safeguard vulnerable populations.
This development adds to the growing body of evidence highlighting the need for immediate and robust climate action. Experts are calling for accelerated efforts to reduce carbon emissions, transition to renewable energy sources, and enhance climate resilience to mitigate the adverse effects of global warming.
As the world grapples with the ramifications of a warming planet, the record-breaking temperatures of July 2024 serve as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead and the imperative for collective global action to address the climate crisis.