The year 2024 has ushered in an unprecedented climate milestone: every month has marked the hottest on record, revealing a sustained pattern of escalating temperatures driven primarily by human-induced greenhouse gas emissions.
As parts of India grapple with a severe heatwave extending from May into June, NASA scientists have confirmed that May 2024 was the hottest May ever recorded globally, culminating in an entire year of record-breaking monthly temperatures.
“This relentless streak of record temperatures underscores the urgency of our climate crisis,” remarked NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “Communities worldwide, from Arizona to California and beyond, are experiencing unprecedented heat waves. NASA and the Biden-Harris Administration recognize the critical need to protect our planet. By leveraging vital climate data, we aim to enhance lives and safeguard humanity’s future.”
The trend of record-breaking temperatures aligns with a long-term warming trend observed over the past four decades, with the last decade consecutively ranking as the warmest since records began in the late 19th century. Prior to this ongoing streak, the longest continuous period of record monthly temperatures lasted seven months, spanning from 2015 to 2016.
“We are witnessing an increase in hot days, hot months, and hot years,” explained Kate Calvin, NASA’s chief scientist and senior climate advisor. “These temperature rises are unequivocally linked to human activities and are impacting communities and ecosystems globally.”
NASA’s analysis, based on a temperature baseline spanning several decades, reveals that the average global temperature over the past 12 months exceeded the 20th-century baseline by 2.34 degrees Fahrenheit (1.30 degrees Celsius). This surpasses the 1.5 degrees Celsius mark relative to the late 19th-century average, a critical threshold identified in climate science.
To compile Earth’s global temperature, NASA utilizes data from tens of thousands of meteorological stations on land, as well as instruments on ships and buoys. Advanced analytical methods account for variables such as station distribution and urban heat effects, ensuring robust and accurate temperature assessments.
While natural phenomena like El Niño and La Niña contribute to yearly temperature fluctuations by influencing Pacific Ocean temperatures, the onset of a strong El Niño in spring 2023 exacerbated last year’s extreme heat. Looking ahead, NOAA projects a 49% chance of La Niña development from June to August 2024, which could temporarily mitigate global temperatures by cooling the tropical Pacific region.
Impact in India: Continued Heatwave Conditions
Meanwhile, India continues to endure severe heatwave conditions, exacerbated by a delayed southwest monsoon. As of the latest reports, regions including Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and others are experiencing intense heat, with temperatures soaring between 45-47 degrees Celsius in some areas.
Severe heatwaves have also been observed in pockets of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Gangetic West Bengal, highlighting the immediate and widespread impacts of rising global temperatures on local climates and communities.
Conclusion: Urgent Calls for Climate Action
The persistent escalation of global temperatures in 2024 serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive climate action. As scientists continue to monitor and analyze climate data, collaborative efforts across nations and sectors are essential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to climate impacts, and safeguard vulnerable communities and ecosystems worldwide.
Together, we must prioritize sustainability, resilience, and innovation to address the interconnected challenges of our warming planet and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.
