The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warns that the planet is already dangerously overheated. Climate change is advancing faster than expected. This warning coincides with the opening of the COP29 UN Climate Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Monday.
Record-Breaking Heat Confirmed
The WMO’s 2024 Global State of the Climate report confirms the past decade was the hottest on record. Climate scientists have long predicted this trend, and it is now undeniable.
“This is not a surprise,” stated WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo. “Scientists have warned about this for over 30 years. The real surprise is the world’s sluggish response.”
These findings align with data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). The C3S forecasts 2024 as potentially the hottest year ever recorded. Global temperatures have already risen 1.3°C above pre-industrial levels, triggering severe climate events worldwide.
Sea surface temperatures have hit record highs, while ice sheets continue to melt at alarming rates. Intense droughts and devastating floods, like Spain’s recent severe weather, are becoming more frequent.
“The scale and intensity of these events are overwhelming,” Saulo emphasized. “Regions are unprepared for the severity of these disasters. We urgently need strategies to handle extreme climate conditions.”
Escalating Global Emissions
While some regions, such as Europe, have reduced emissions, many other areas have seen increases. Rising emissions release more carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases, further driving global temperatures up. The result is more extreme weather, harsher climate impacts, and escalating global challenges.
At the COP29 summit, international representatives are discussing emission reduction strategies. Despite these discussions, rising emissions in many nations paint a concerning picture of the future.
Europe’s October 2024 average temperature reached 10.83°C, 1.23°C higher than the 1991–2020 average. This made October the fifth warmest in Europe’s history and the second warmest globally. Such temperature increases highlight the accelerating pace of global warming.
The WMO’s latest report and ongoing COP29 negotiations underscore the urgent need for stronger climate action. Without swift, decisive measures to reduce emissions, slow global warming, and prevent more catastrophic impacts, the climate crisis will continue to intensify.