What's happened
As COP29 convenes in Azerbaijan, 2024 is projected to be the hottest year on record, surpassing 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time. This alarming trend, driven by human activity and exacerbated by the El Niño weather pattern, raises urgent calls for action from global leaders.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, 2024 is projected to be the first year to exceed the 1.5°C threshold, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres calling it a 'masterclass in climate destruction.' The New York Times highlights that the unusual jump in temperatures since mid-2023 has raised concerns among scientists about the accuracy of climate models. Meanwhile, Axios emphasizes the importance of limiting warming to avoid catastrophic climate impacts, noting that current policies are on track for a 3.1°C increase. The Independent reports that this year's extreme weather events, including devastating floods in Spain, underscore the urgent need for action as COP29 approaches.
How we got here
The world has seen a steady increase in global temperatures due to human-induced climate change, with 2024 expected to exceed the 1.5°C threshold established in the Paris Agreement. This year has already experienced unprecedented heatwaves and severe weather events, highlighting the urgency of climate action.
Common question
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What are the implications of 2024 breaking temperature records?
As we approach the end of 2024, the world is on track to experience unprecedented temperature levels, exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time. This alarming trend is largely driven by human-induced climate change and the El Niño phenomenon. With the COP29 climate conference on the horizon, many are left wondering about the potential impacts and necessary actions to combat this crisis.
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How is Climate Change Affecting the 2024 Election?
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, climate change is becoming a pivotal issue influencing voter decisions. With candidates like Donald Trump and Kamala Harris taking distinct stances on environmental policies, understanding their positions can help voters make informed choices. This page explores how climate issues are shaping the election landscape and what it means for the future.
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What are the implications of 2024 being the hottest year on record?
As 2024 is projected to be the hottest year ever recorded, the implications for our planet are profound. This unprecedented rise in temperatures, driven by human activity and natural phenomena like El Niño, raises urgent questions about climate action and global responses. Below, we explore key questions surrounding this alarming trend and what it means for the future.
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Why Did China and Russia Veto Antarctic Protections?
The recent veto by China and Russia against new marine parks and krill fishing restrictions in Antarctica has raised significant concerns about the future of conservation efforts in the region. This decision not only highlights geopolitical tensions but also poses serious ecological risks. Below, we explore the implications of this veto and related questions about the environmental impact and conservation strategies.
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What are the implications of exceeding 1.5°C in global temperatures?
As we approach unprecedented global temperatures, the implications of exceeding the critical 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement are becoming increasingly urgent. With 2024 projected to be the hottest year on record, understanding the consequences of this rise is essential for both policymakers and the public. Below, we explore key questions surrounding this alarming trend and its potential impacts.
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What are the long-term effects of rising global temperatures?
As global temperatures reach unprecedented levels, understanding the long-term effects becomes crucial. With 2024 projected to be the hottest year on record, driven by human activities and natural phenomena like El Niño, the implications for our planet are dire. This page explores the consequences of rising temperatures, how they are measured, and what actions can be taken to combat climate change.
More on these topics
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The Paris Agreement is an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, dealing with greenhouse-gas-emissions mitigation, adaptation, and finance, signed in 2016.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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The Copernicus Climate Change Service is one of the six thematic services provided by the European Union's Copernicus Programme.
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The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. Its members have a combined area of 4,233,255.3 km² and an estimated total population of about 447 million.
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The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
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El Niño is the warm phase of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation and is associated with a band of warm ocean water that develops in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific, including the area off the Pacific coast of South America.
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António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres GCC GCL is a Portuguese politician and diplomat who is serving as the ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations. Previously, he was the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees between 2005 and 2015.
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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is an American scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce that focuses on the conditions of the oceans, major waterways, and the atmosphere.
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Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, A