UN Report: World On Track For 3.1°C Warming By 2100
Record-BreakingUN HeatReport: SummerWorld 2024On ShattersTrack TemperatureFor Records3.1°C Warming By 2100
The Facts
This summer surpassed the previous record set in 2023, which was 0.66 degrees Celsius above the average baseline, marking a continuation of the alarming trend of rising global temperatures.According to the UN Environment Program (UNEP) released on Thursday, failure to achieve the Paris Agreement's goals will result in global warming of 3.1 degrees Celsius (5.4 degrees Fahrenheit) by the end of the century.
The record-breaking temperatures included the hottest June and August on record, as well as the hottest day ever recorded on July 22, 2024, according to NASA's analysis of global daily temperature data.Inger Andersen, the UNEP executive director, warned that without a "massive increase in ambition" in the next round of climate pledges, "1.5 C will be dead within a few years and 2 C will take its place in the intensive care unit."
The Spin
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While 2023 was exceptionally hot, it's essential to consider long-term climate trends rather than focusing on individual records. Natural variability plays a role in temperature fluctuations, and more data is needed to fully understand the implications of these recent heat events. The climate system is complex, and caution should be exercised when attributing specific weather events to climate change.
