Geneva, 20 March 2024 (WAI): The World Meteorological Organization(WMO) has warned against climate change sternly, anticipating that 2024 could mark yet another record-hot year. The WMO stressed the urgency of addressing global warming by highlighting a surge in greenhouse gases, land and water temperatures, and glaciers and sea ice melt-offs. In its latest State of the Global Climate report, the agency underscored the alarming trend, expressing concerns about the insufficiency of worldwide efforts to curb the escalation.
Celeste Saulo, the WMO’s Secretary-General, emphasized the criticality of meeting climate goals, urging immediate action to limit planetary warming to within 1.5 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels. Saulo’s remarks echo the gravity of the situation, with the agency signaling a “red alert” to the world.
Recent data from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service reveals that the 12-month period from March 2023 to February 2024 exceeded the 1.5-degree limit, averaging 1.56 degrees Celsius higher. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the urgency of the matter, highlighting the distress signals emitted by Earth as climate chaos reaches unprecedented levels.
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Omar Baddour, WMO’s Chief of Climate Monitoring, acknowledged the likelihood of 2024 surpassing the record set in 2023, given historical trends following El Nino events. Baddour emphasized the significance of recent temperature records, with January marking the warmest on record.
Despite the grim outlook, the report identifies a glimmer of hope in the increase in renewable energy generation capacity. The rise in the wind, solar, and waterpower capacity by nearly 50 percent from 2022 to 510 gigawatts offers a ray of optimism amid the climate crisis.
The release of the report coincides with a gathering of climate experts and government officials in Copenhagen, Denmark, to advocate for stronger climate action. The urgency of the situation necessitates enhanced national commitments to combat global warming and safeguard the planet for future generations.
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I am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations. My areas of interest include Current Affairs, Diplomacy and International Political Economy.
