Global warming reaches record high
The period from February 2023 to January 2024 reached 1.52C of warming, the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service reported. This is the first time that the global average temperature has exceeded 1.5C since records began.
El Niño effect contributes to temperature spike
The record-breaking year was partly influenced by a natural climate-warming phenomenon known as El Niño, which boosted air temperatures by about 0.2C. El Niño is expected to end in a few months, which could allow global temperatures to temporarily stabilise and fall slightly.
Human impact drives long-term trend
However, the long-term warming trend is unquestionably driven by human activities, mainly from burning fossil fuels, which releases planet-warming gases like carbon dioxide. This is also responsible for the vast majority of the warmth over the past year.
Climate action needed to avoid tipping points
Scientists warn that the impacts of climate change are accelerating and increasing the risks of passing so-called tipping points. These are thresholds within the climate system which, if crossed, could lead to rapid and potentially irreversible changes.
World can still limit warming to 1.5C with net zero emissions
But researchers are keen to emphasise that humans can still make a difference to the world’s warming trajectory. The world can still limit warming to 1.5C as a long-term average by cutting emissions and reaching net zero. Effectively halving emissions this decade is seen as particularly crucial.
UK’s two main parties scale back climate pledges
The latest climate warning comes amid news that the Labour Party in the UK is ditching its policy of spending £28bn a year on its green investment plan in a major U-turn. The Conservatives also pushed back on some key targets in September.
This means the UK’s two main parties have scaled back the type of pledges that many climate scientists say are needed globally if the worst impacts of warming are to be avoided.