0
0
Human Activities Driving Global Warming
Last year, human activities, particularly the burning of coal for cheap power, caused the planet to warm by 1.3 degrees Celsius (2.34 Fahrenheit), as reported recently. This alarming trend, if continued at the current rate, could see global warming surpass the critical 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) limit set by the Paris Agreement in just five years.
“The fact that global temperatures are still on the rise, and at an accelerated pace, is a cause for great concern,” stated climate scientist Piers Forster from the University of Leeds in the U.K., which led the report.
Record-Breaking Heat in 2023
Last year, from June to December, each month set a new global heat record. For instance, July 2023 was the hottest July on record since the late 1800s. These unprecedented temperatures had severe consequences, from record-low Antarctic ice levels to devastating wildfires in Canada, all exacerbated by human activities.
Furthermore, the recurring weather pattern El Niño, which has been intensifying due to global warming, contributed to these extreme temperatures. Scientists emphasize that human actions are the primary driver of this alarming trend, urging immediate action to combat climate change.
Impact of Reduced Sulfur Emissions
The report also highlighted the unintended consequences of reduced sulfur emissions from the shipping industry since 2020. While this move aimed to reduce air pollution, sulfur particles have a cooling effect on the planet by reflecting sunlight. With fewer sulfur particles in the atmosphere, global warming has accelerated, posing challenges to meeting climate targets.
Climate experts Forster and Zeke Hausfather noted that the accelerated phaseout of sulfur in marine fuel could equate to two additional years of greenhouse gas emissions at current rates. This shift may complicate efforts to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2050.
2023: Hottest Year on Record
Multiple reports from 2023 confirmed it as the hottest year globally, with temperatures rising by 1.48 degrees Celsius compared to the late 19th century. NASA and the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service both echoed these findings, underlining the urgent need for action to address climate change.
“The evidence is clear: we must take immediate and substantial action to combat global warming,” emphasized Jan Esper, a climate scientist at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Germany, expressing deep concern over the current trajectory.
Upcoming Climate Conference
In November, world leaders will convene at the United Nations climate conference COP29 in Azerbaijan. The goal is to negotiate strategies to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to preindustrial levels, emphasizing the critical need for international cooperation to address this pressing issue.
Image/Photo credit: source url
