PARIS: Last year, 2023, marked a significant milestone in the history of our planet. It was the hottest year ever recorded, with the Earth’s surface temperature coming dangerously close to surpassing the critical threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius, according to EU climate monitors. The impact of climate change was felt worldwide, with heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires becoming more intense and widespread. The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) reported that the global thermometer rose by 1.48 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial benchmark, setting a new record.
2023 also saw another alarming statistic: it was the first year in history where every single day was warmer than the pre-industrial period. Samantha Burgess, deputy head of the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), highlighted this concerning fact. She emphasized that temperatures during 2023 likely exceeded those of any period in at least the last 100,000 years, underscoring the urgency of the situation we face.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres echoed the gravity of the situation, stating that 2023 was merely a glimpse into the catastrophic future that awaits us if we fail to take immediate action. The year was characterized by numerous extreme weather events, with nearly half of it surpassing the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit set by scientists. Beyond this threshold, the impacts of climate change are more likely to become self-reinforcing and catastrophic.
However, it is important to note that even if Earth’s average surface temperature breaches 1.5 degrees Celsius in 2024, as predicted by some scientists, it does not automatically mean that the world has failed to meet the target set by the Paris Agreement. The agreement allows for the possibility of reducing Earth’s temperature after a period of “overshoot.”
2023 witnessed a series of devastating events, serving as a stark reminder of the consequences of our inaction. Massive fires ravaged Canada, extreme droughts plagued the Horn of Africa and the Middle East, and unprecedented summer heatwaves struck Europe, the United States, and China. Record winter warmth was experienced in Australia and South America. These events will only worsen unless we transition away from fossil fuels and achieve net-zero emissions, warned University of Reading climate change professor Ed Hawkins.
The findings from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) come on the heels of the recent climate agreement reached at COP28 in Dubai. The agreement calls for a gradual transition away from fossil fuels, the primary driver of climate warming. Urgent action is needed to cut fossil fuel use and reach net zero in order to preserve the livable climate that we all depend on, emphasized John Marsham, an atmospheric science professor at the University of Leeds.
2023 also witnessed another alarming record: two days in November exceeded the pre-industrial benchmark by more than 2 degrees Celsius. This further highlights the urgent need for immediate action to address climate change.
It is worth noting that reliable weather records date back to 1850, but older proxy data for climate change, such as tree rings, ice cores, and sediment, indicate that the temperatures experienced in 2023 surpass those of any period in at least the last 100,000 years. The impact of climate change is not confined to one region or continent; records were broken on every continent. In Europe, 2023 was the second-warmest year on record, with temperatures only 0.17 degrees Celsius cooler than in 2020.
The year 2023 serves as a stark wake-up call. It is a clear indication that urgent and decisive action is needed to combat climate change. The time for transition away from fossil fuels and towards a sustainable future is now. We must work together to achieve net-zero emissions and preserve the livable climate that future generations depend on.
Source: The Manila Times
