- 18:00Understanding the implications of the UK-EU deal for Brits in Spain
- 17:45Spain's crackdown on illegal Airbnbs: A closer look at unlicensed tourist lets
- 17:15Spain introduces online driving licence validation for residents
- 16:45Motorhome boom in Spain leads to overcrowding and parking challenges
- 16:36Junts proposes ban on full Islamic veils in public and schools
- 16:15Consumers in Europe challenge budget airlines over baggage fees
- 16:06EU approves tariffs on fertiliser imports from Russia and Belarus
- 15:45Return of cross-border driving fines after EU-UK reset deal
- 15:35PSOE proposes law raising taxes on tourist rentals and vacant homes limiting foreign purchases
Follow us on Facebook
Global Temperature Shatters Records in 2024, Breaching Critical Climate Threshold
Earth experienced its hottest year on record in 2024, with global temperatures exceeding a crucial warming threshold for the first time in recorded history, according to Europe's climate monitoring agency. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed this milestone through six independent international datasets, marking an unprecedented moment in climate science.
The data revealed that global average surface temperatures rose 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels, surpassing the 1.5°C limit established in the 2015 Paris Agreement. While scientists emphasize this single-year breach doesn't indicate a permanent crossing of the threshold, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described global heating as "a cold, hard fact" that demands immediate action.
This temperature surge manifested in devastating weather events worldwide throughout 2024. Countries including Spain, Kenya, the United States, and Nepal faced natural disasters resulting in estimated damages exceeding $300 billion. Los Angeles continues to battle severe wildfires that have destroyed thousands of buildings and displaced tens of thousands of residents.
The oceans, which absorb 90 percent of excess heat from greenhouse gases, reached record-high temperatures in 2024. This warming has strained marine ecosystems and intensified weather patterns, contributing to increased flooding, heatwaves, and cyclone activity. Copernicus climate deputy director Samantha Burgess noted that elevated water vapor levels in the atmosphere, combined with high temperatures, created "misery for millions of people."
Looking ahead to 2025, scientists project a slight cooling effect due to a weak La Niña pattern. NASA's chief climate scientist Gavin Schmidt predicts it will rank as the third-warmest year on record. However, researchers stress that every fraction of a degree above 1.5°C carries significant implications for global climate stability.
Johan Rockstrom of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research characterized these findings as a "stark warning sign," noting that the world has experienced its first glimpse of a 1.5°C-warmer environment, with unprecedented impacts on human society and the global economy.
The year's extreme weather events included the tragic loss of 1,300 pilgrims during intense heat in Saudi Arabia, destructive tropical storms across Asia and North America, and historic flooding in Europe and Africa. Scientists were particularly puzzled by the persistence of high temperatures even after the El Niño weather pattern concluded in early 2024.
Copernicus climate director Carlo Buontempo concluded with a note of cautious optimism, emphasizing that while the situation is serious, swift and decisive action could still alter the trajectory of future climate patterns. The coming years will be crucial in determining whether nations can implement effective measures to curb greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate further temperature increases.
Comments (0)