Last month saw the global surface temperature hitting 14.14°C, marking a 0.10°C increase from the previous record-holder, March 2016. Climate scientists are increasingly perturbed by the unpredictability and complexity of recent temperature trends in both atmospheric and oceanic conditions.
March witnessed a continuation of the upward trajectory in atmospheric and ocean surface temperatures, setting unprecedented records for the tenth consecutive month, as confirmed by scientists. The average global surface temperature for March soared to 14.14°C, surpassing the previous benchmark set in 2016.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the EU’s Copernicus Earth observation agency disclosed that the global average temperature over the past twelve months reached historic highs, standing at 1.58°C above pre-industrial levels and 0.7°C higher than the 1991–2020 average.
Despite the gradual attenuation of El Niño, a weather phenomenon linked to anomalous warming of surface waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, which unleashed unprecedented global heat last year, marine air temperatures remained persistently elevated. The global average sea surface temperature reached 21.07°C, the highest recorded monthly value to date.
Wednesday marked the 400th consecutive day of record temperatures in the North Atlantic, challenging previous assumptions about the ocean’s capacity to absorb heat in a predictable manner. Rockström highlighted the abrupt departure from established patterns as particularly alarming.
Recent data from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) revealed record-high levels of all three primary human-caused greenhouse gases — carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide — in 2023, albeit with a slower growth rate compared to previous years.
Climatologist, Zeke Hausfather, suggested that limiting global warming to 1.5°C, as outlined in the Paris Agreement, may be increasingly elusive. With the remaining carbon budget dwindling, meeting the Paris target would necessitate drastic emissions reductions, possibly requiring net-zero emissions by 2030 or 2035, depending on the desired probability of success. Hausfather noted the challenges of achieving a 1.5°C scenario without overshooting the target and subsequent decline, underscoring the formidable task ahead in addressing climate change.
Hausfather’s assessment underscores the urgency of decisive action to curb emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. However, the complexities of the climate system and the inertia in global efforts pose significant challenges to achieving these targets.
Efforts to expand the remaining carbon budget by enhancing carbon capture and storage technologies are underway. Yet, even with such advancements, crafting plausible scenarios to limit global warming to 1.5°C without overshooting remains a formidable task.
The Paris Agreement, signed by 195 governments in 2015, set ambitious targets to limit global temperature rise and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. However, recent developments highlight the widening gap between commitments and actions necessary to achieve these goals.
The escalating frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and disruptions to ecosystems serve as stark reminders of the pressing need for concerted global action. The window of opportunity to avert the most catastrophic impacts of climate change is rapidly closing.
As nations grapple with the complexities of transitioning to a low-carbon economy, the imperative for bold leadership and collective action has never been more apparent. Addressing the root causes of climate change requires not only technological innovation but also political will, international cooperation, and societal engagement on an unprecedented scale.
The challenges ahead are daunting, but they are not insurmountable. By embracing the principles of sustainability, equity, and resilience, humanity can forge a path towards a more sustainable future for generations to come. The time for action is now.
Best wishes,
Plantie.org
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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Photo credit: NASA on UNsplash