According to the European Copernicus Climate Change Service, 2024 is projected to be the hottest year on record, with global temperatures likely exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Samantha Burgess, Deputy Director of Copernicus, stated that after ten months into the year, it is almost certain that 2024 will surpass previous heat records.
The upcoming COP29, commencing on November 11 in Baku, Azerbaijan, aims to address financing strategies to assist developing nations in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change. This conference is expected to be pivotal in redefining global climate ambitions.
October 2024 has already been noted as the second hottest October globally, with an average temperature of 15.25°C, which is 1.65°C higher than pre-industrial averages from 1850-1900. This marks a significant milestone, as it is the 15th month out of the last 16 where average temperatures have exceeded the critical threshold of 1.5°C, a key goal of the 2015 Paris Agreement.
The impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly evident, with severe flooding in southern Spain recently resulting in over 200 fatalities, primarily in the Valencia region. Scientists agree that extreme precipitation events are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.