ALARMING TEMPERATURE TRENDS : RECORD – BREAKING DAYS
Why in the News ?
- A UN report reveals that 86 days in 2023 have already surpassed the 1.5 degrees Celsius temperature threshold.
- This concerning trend signifies the impact of escalating global greenhouse gas emissions.
Source: Centre for Science Education
Long Term Objective
- The primary objective is to keep long-term temperature rise within 1.5 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial times.
Escalating Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Record-High Emissions:
- Global greenhouse gas emissions reached a record high of 57.4 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2022.
- This marks a 1.23% increase from the previous year, surpassing the 2019 record and posing significant challenges for climate mitigation.
- Emissions Gap Report Findings:
- The annual Emissions Gap Report by the UN Environment Programme indicates that with current climate policies, the world is on track to warm by at least 3 degrees Celsius by the end of the century.
Global Emission Contributors
- China, the United States, and India, as the world’s three largest emitters, witnessed a rise in emissions in 2022.
Challenging Climate Targets
- Projected Temperature Increase:
- The report suggests that even with countries fulfilling current climate promises with high ambition, the world is headed for a minimum 3-degree Celsius temperature increase by 2100.
- Emission Gap Challenges:
- To bridge the emissions gap and meet climate targets, global emissions must drop by at least 8.7% annually from 2024.
- This stark challenge emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced climate action.
Consequences and Future Outlook
- Immediate Consequences:
- The failure to take early action on climate change has resulted in 2023 being poised to become the hottest year on record with September being the hottest month ever.
- Struggling to Meet Targets:
- The report underscores that meeting the 1.5 degrees Celsius target is increasingly difficult due to delayed climate action.
- Early action in 2010 could have significantly reduced the annual emission reductions needed.
The report emphasizes the critical need for collaborative global efforts to address the escalating climate crisis.