fr.euronews.com
2024: Warmest Year on Record, 2025 Outlook
2024 marked the warmest year on record, surpassing the 1.5°C Paris Agreement threshold due in part to El Niño; while La Niña is expected in 2025, slightly cooling global temperatures, 2025 will still likely rank among the three warmest years recorded.
- What were the key climate events of 2024 and their global implications?
- 2024 was the warmest year on record, exceeding the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels. This surge, partly driven by El Niño, is unlikely to be surpassed in 2025 due to the anticipated La Niña event, which typically cools global temperatures. However, 2025 is still projected to be among the three warmest years ever recorded.
- How do El Niño and La Niña influence global weather patterns and what are their projected effects on 2025 temperatures?
- El Niño and La Niña are contrasting Pacific Ocean climate patterns affecting global weather. El Niño weakens or reverses Pacific winds, warming eastern Pacific waters; La Niña strengthens these winds, pushing warm waters west and bringing cooler surface temperatures to the Americas. These events occur every 2-7 years, lasting 9-12 months and influencing worldwide weather patterns.
- What are the long-term implications of exceeding the 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement, even with the anticipated La Niña event?
- While a short-lived La Niña event in 2025 might slightly reduce global temperatures, it won't alter the long-term warming trend caused by heat-trapping greenhouse gases. Despite La Niña's expected cooling effect, 2025 is predicted to be exceptionally warm, highlighting the continued impact of climate change.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the record-breaking temperatures primarily in the context of El Niño and the potential cooling effect of La Niña. While this is a significant factor, the framing might downplay the long-term trend of rising global temperatures driven by climate change. The focus on the year-to-year fluctuations could distract from the bigger picture of sustained warming. The use of quotes from scientists emphasizing the record-breaking nature further reinforces this focus.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral and objective, using scientific terminology to describe the phenomena. However, phrases like "record-breaking temperatures" and "exceptional temperatures" could be considered slightly emotive, although they are commonly used in this context. More neutral alternatives could include "unprecedented temperatures" or "temperatures exceeding previous records.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses primarily on the temperature records and the influence of El Niño and La Niña, potentially omitting discussions on other contributing factors to climate change or alternative perspectives on climate models. While it mentions greenhouse gases, it doesn't delve into their specific role or the actions being taken to mitigate their effects. This omission might limit readers' understanding of the complexity of the issue.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic dichotomy between El Niño and La Niña, implying a direct and predictable relationship between these phenomena and global temperatures. While it acknowledges that each event is different, it doesn't sufficiently explore the nuances of their impact or the other factors influencing global temperatures beyond the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. This simplification might oversimplify the climate change issue for the reader.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article reports that 2024 was the warmest year on record, exceeding the 1.5°C limit set by the Paris Agreement. This directly indicates a negative impact on climate action goals, highlighting the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. While a La Niña event might slightly cool temperatures in 2025, it will not alter the long-term warming trend. The quotes from the WMO Secretary-General and the UK Met Office further emphasize the continuing negative trend despite the temporary influence of La Niña.