theguardian.com
2024: Hottest Year on Record
2024 is on track to be the hottest year on record, exceeding 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, highlighting the urgency of climate action.
English
United Kingdom
PoliticsClimate ChangeEuropean UnionScienceEnergy SecurityEnvironmentClimateTemperature
European Union's Space ProgrammeCopernicus Climate Change ServiceWorld Meteorological Organization (Wmo)
Samantha BurgessCarlo BuontempoDonald Trump
- What is the political context surrounding the release of this report?
- The report coincides with the upcoming Cop29 climate summit and Donald Trump's election as US president, who has a history of climate change denial and plans to reverse environmental policies.
- What is the key finding of the European Union's space programme report?
- The European Union's space programme found that 2024 is virtually certain to be the hottest year on record, exceeding 1.5C above pre-industrial levels for the first time.
- What is the significance of exceeding the 1.5C warming threshold in a single year?
- Scientists emphasize that while a single year above 1.5C doesn't mean the target is missed, it underscores the urgency of climate action and the increasing strain on ecosystems and human populations.
- What were the temperature readings for October 2024 compared to pre-industrial levels?
- The report highlights that October 2024 was the second warmest October on record, following October 2023, with temperatures 1.65C above pre-industrial levels.
- What data sources underpin the Copernicus findings, and are there any discrepancies with other datasets?
- The findings are based on a vast amount of weather data from various sources, although slight variations exist compared to other prominent datasets.