STATE OF CLIMATE REPORT 2024: ENVIRONMENT
NEWS: Warming causing CO2 levels highest in the past 8,00,000 years: WMO
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
The State of Climate 2024 Report by the WMO highlights record-high CO₂ levels, global warming exceeding the 1.5°C threshold, and extreme weather events leading to significant environmental disruptions. Urgent global action is required to mitigate climate impacts and achieve sustainable solutions, with international and Indian initiatives focusing on reducing emissions and protecting ecosystems.
State of Climate 2024 Report
• Report Overview:
• The State of Climate 2024 Report was released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) during the United Nations Climate Conference (COP29) in Baku.
• The report highlights alarming climate trends, emphasizing the need for immediate global action to address the escalating climate crisis.
About the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
• About:
• The WMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that provides authoritative information on weather, climate, water resources, and the earth’s atmosphere. It monitors and assesses global climate patterns and trends.
• Establishment:
• Founded in 1950, the WMO operates as an authoritative body for climate and weather-related information globally.
• Headquarters:
• Located in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Membership:
• The WMO has 193 member countries and 6 territories, each maintaining its own meteorological services.
• Mandate:
• The WMO focuses on meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology, and related geophysical sciences.
• Governance:
• The World Meteorological Congress is the supreme body of the WMO. It meets at least once every four years to set policies and adopt regulations.
• The Executive Council implements the policies set by the Congress.
• The Secretariat is led by a Secretary-General who manages the day-to-day operations of the WMO.
Key Reports Released by the WMO:
• State of the Global Climate Report: Provides an annual overview of the climate situation globally.
• Greenhouse Gas Bulletin: Tracks levels of greenhouse gases globally.
• Global Water Resources Report: Focuses on the status of the world's freshwater resources.
• State of Climate Services Report: Provides insights into climate services globally.
• United in Science Report: An annual collaborative report produced with the IPCC, UNEP, and other organizations.
Key Findings from the WMO State of Climate 2024 Report
• Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Rise:
• CO₂ levels reached 420 parts per million (ppm) in 2023, the highest in 800,000 years.
• Methane (CH₄) concentrations were at 1923 parts per billion, 266% of pre-industrial levels.
• Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) reached 335.8 parts per billion, 124% of pre-industrial levels.
• Temperature Increase:
• 2024 was the warmest year in the 175-year observational record.
• 2024 also marked the first year that exceeded the 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement on a global scale.
• The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) projects that the 1.5°C threshold may be consistently crossed by September 2029.
• Ocean Warming:
• Oceans are absorbing 90% of the global heat, with ocean heat content at the highest recorded levels.
• Sea levels continue to rise, with rapid glacier retreat and Antarctic sea ice at its second-lowest extent on record.
• Ocean acidification is ongoing, leading to a steady decrease in ocean surface pH, with the most intense decreases in regions such as the Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and parts of the Pacific Ocean.
• Extreme Weather Events & Displacements:
• 2024 saw record extreme weather events, including tropical cyclones, extreme rainfall, floods, and droughts.
• Climate-induced displacements reached their highest number since 2008 due to extreme weather events.
• Glacier Mass Loss:
• The period from 2022-2024 witnessed the largest three-year loss of glaciers on record.
• Seven out of the last ten years have seen the highest negative mass balance of glaciers, contributing to sea-level rise.
Reasons Behind the Climate Trends
• Record CO₂ and Greenhouse Gas Levels:
• Fossil fuel burning (coal, oil, and natural gas) continues to be a significant source of CO₂ emissions.
• Deforestation reduces the Earth’s ability to absorb CO₂, exacerbating greenhouse gas levels.
• Industrial emissions from sectors like cement, steel, and chemicals continue to add to CO₂ and other GHGs in the atmosphere.
• Agricultural practices such as large-scale livestock farming and excessive fertilizer use contribute to methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions.
• Record-Breaking Global Temperature Rise:
• The intensification of the greenhouse effect due to high levels of CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O traps more heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.
• El Niño conditions in early 2024 also contributed to global temperature increases.
• Urban Heat Island Effect: Expanding urban areas absorb and retain heat, increasing local temperatures.
• Ocean Warming and Sea Level Rise:
• Oceans absorbing 90% of excess heat is causing thermal expansion and rising sea levels.
• Increased melting of polar ice caps (Greenland and Antarctica) further accelerates sea level rise.
• Increased CO₂ absorption by oceans leads to ocean acidification, affecting marine ecosystems.
• Extreme Weather Events & Climate-Induced Displacements:
• Increased atmospheric moisture leads to stronger storms and rainfall, contributing to floods and droughts.
• Warmer ocean temperatures fuel stronger cyclones and hurricanes, which cause greater damage and displacement.
International Efforts to Address Climate Change
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC):
• Established in 1992 to combat climate change through multilateral agreements.
• The Paris Agreement (2015) aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C, ideally under 1.5°C.
• Countries are encouraged to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to reduce emissions.
• Global Methane Pledge:
• Launched at COP26 to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030.
• Over 150 countries have joined, focusing on oil & gas, agriculture, and waste management sectors.
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC):
• The IPCC assesses climate science and is instrumental in informing climate policy globally.
• Global Ocean Treaty (2023):
• The treaty aims to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030.
Indian Initiatives to Tackle Climate Change
• Net Zero Commitment:
• India aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2070 as announced at COP26.
• India’s Long-Term Low Greenhouse Gas Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS) were submitted to the UNFCCC in 2022.
• International Solar Alliance (ISA):
• The ISA aims to deploy solar energy solutions on a global scale, especially in nations with high solar insolation, to promote climate resilience.
• Forest Conservation & Afforestation:
• Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 ensures forest conservation.
• Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign (2024) promotes tree planting to enhance carbon sequestration.
• Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Protection:
• MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes) (2023) aims to restore 540 km² of mangroves across coastal states.
Challenges in Climate Change Actions
• Energy Transition Challenges:
• High dependence on coal remains a major hurdle for India’s transition to renewable energy.
• Intermittency of solar and wind power generation necessitates large-scale battery storage, which remains expensive.
• Industrial and Urban Challenges:
• Rapid urbanization leads to increased energy demand, vehicle emissions, and waste generation, making low-carbon urban planning complex.
• Agriculture Challenges:
• Agricultural dependence on fossil fuels and chemical fertilizers poses challenges for decarbonization in the agricultural sector.
Way Forward
• Mitigation Strategies:
• Strengthen Net-Zero Commitments and enforce stricter carbon regulations.
• Expand renewable energy adoption, especially in developing economies.
• Scale up carbon capture and storage technologies.
• Adaptation Measures:
• Invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, especially in coastal and drought-prone areas.
• Promote sustainable agriculture practices to combat food insecurity.
• Climate Financing:
• Scale up climate financing mechanisms and ensure debt-for-climate swaps to fund climate action.
Conclusion:
The State of the Global Climate 2024 Report underscores the urgent need for global and regional climate action to address the accelerating climate crisis. Immediate steps are required to mitigate further damage, strengthen adaptation efforts, and mobilize funding for effective climate solutions.
Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/warming-causing-co2-levels-highest-in-the-past-800000-years-wmo