The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has issued a stark warning, declaring that 2023 has been the hottest year since records began 175 years ago, marking a critical juncture in the fight against climate change. Their recently released State of the Global Climate report suggests that 2024 may be the first year to exceed a 1.5-degree Celsius rise above pre-industrial levels, signalling serious implications for life on Earth.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo noted that while a single year above this threshold doesn’t necessarily threaten the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement, it serves as a sobering reminder of the escalating risks we face. The report reveals alarming data: carbon dioxide levels are at their highest in 800,000 years, and each of the past ten years has ranked as the warmest on record. Furthermore, ocean heat content has continuously set new highs, contributing to the rising sea levels and climate instability expected to persist for centuries.
Various factors are at play, including a transition from the cooling La Niña phase to a warming El Niño phenomenon, which compounds the effect of growing greenhouse gas emissions. The report also indicates that significant changes in polar regions, with glaciers retreating and Antarctic sea ice at its second-lowest extent ever, underscore the urgency of the situation.
Experts stress the necessity for immediate action. Dr Linden Ashcroft from the University of Melbourne expressed frustration over the continuous grim updates regarding climate change, acknowledging the potent and irrevocable thresholds crossed. Alongside calls for heightened awareness, he emphasised the need for concrete governmental and business responses to the climate crisis.
Professor Martina Linnenluecke from the University of Technology Sydney reinforced the importance of taking systemic action without delay. Meanwhile, fellow academic Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe labelled the latest findings as “truly alarming,” reflecting the consensus among scientists that the situation is dire.
Overall, the WMO report paints a concerning picture of our planet’s climate trajectory, highlighting the pressing need for robust leadership and action to mitigate the effects of climate change for current and future generations.