Background
In recent years, the Earth has been heating up at an unprecedented rate. Record breaking temperatures have become the new norm, making climate change an urgent reality. However, this shift in average temperatures has not occurred as abruptly as many believe it to have been.
Current Trends
Over the past few decades, global temperatures have followed an alarmingly steep, upward trajectory. Despite 2023 being the warmest year since the 1850s, 2024 has already surpassed this record. On July 22nd, 2024, we witnessed a whopping 17.5 degrees celsius (63.5F) global average. This temperature had broken the global record of the previous year by a 0.14 degrees celsius difference. While this does not seem particularly high, according to NASA, both temperatures far exceeded the global averages from 1951-1980 July averages.
What Contributed to the Trend
Human activities such as deforestation and natural factors such as an El Niño event contributed to the astonishing heat for the two consecutive years. El Niño is a climate phenomenon that is caused by shifts in trade winds. This event has a significant impact on the planet's average temperature. The 2023-2024 El Niño was considered to be the fifth-most powerful El Nino event in recorded history thus affecting the July averages through intense heat and droughts in Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, and the entirety of South America. However, although El Nino is partly to blame for the astonishing 2024 temperatures, the effects of this phenomenon were also aggravated by other human activities such as industrial emissions and agricultural practices. These activities not only contribute to escalating the impacts of natural phenomena like the El Nino, but also intensify the effects of climate extremes like heatwaves and droughts.
Current Trends and Issues
These events reveal a troubling trend, signaling future dangerous shifts in climate patterns due to accelerated global warming. The rapid breaking of temperature records and aggravated effects of natural weather patterns is indicative of rapid climate change. Looking at the global temperature trend chart below, we can see that the Earth's climate system is responding to greenhouse gas emissions more intensely. This acceleration itself has tripled in the past 15 years, from 0.18°C per decade to roughly 0.3°C per decade, which speaks volumes about the adverse conditions we are now facing across the globe.
Image Source: Global Temperature: Annual Average
In light of this alarming trend, the challenges resulting from the previously mentioned issues are:
-
Extreme Weather Events: Heatwaves, wildfires, and severe storms are becoming more common and more intense, posing significant risks to ecosystems and human societies. The US endured extreme weather events, such as heat that struck the Midwest and Northeast. Globally, it is important to note that these extreme events are linked to accelerated global warming.
-
Impacts on Agriculture: The extreme weather events, along with rise in global temperatures affects agriculture by leading to reduced crop yields. Changes in rainfall patterns and the increased frequency of droughts and floods are making farming more unpredictable and challenging, ultimately posing a threat to human security.
-
Biodiversity Loss: Rising temperatures and changing ecosystems is driving wildlife towards extinction. Deforestation has disrupted ecosystems, exacerbating the crisis. Yet, despite knowing the effects, the rate of deforestation continues unabated. An example of such is India’s Kanwar Yatra, in which the Uttar Pradesh government planned on cutting about 33 thousand trees to clear a path for devotees. Such initiatives threaten the survival of flora and fauna which in turn affects the services they provide, such as pollination and climate regulation through rain. About 10% of global warming has been caused by forest loss and such actions will further instigate damage.
Advancements
Without immediate action being taken to curb this grave crisis, climate change could become irreversible. A study published in PNAS in 2020 warns that in just 50 years, a third of the world's population may find themselves living in a climate similar to the Sahara. Given the urgent need for action to address this crisis, we, as humans, have a pivotal role to play. Although we cannot suddenly undo the damage already done, we can mitigate future harm through technological advancements and reforestation efforts. We have to ‘cool the world to cool our homes’ naturally, instead of relying on air conditioning and heating the world further. By using table fans and coolers, we can collectively help control the future trends.
Drawing inspiration from history, movements like the Chipko movement where women hugged trees to prevent officers from cutting them down, embracing activism can be the key to success. Participating in climate change protests, following the 3 R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), investing in electric cars, and supporting scientific advancements to combat climate change are a few ways to collectively act against this global challenge.
Collective action is the strongest tool in addressing this global issue. Therefore, every action counts. By taking these steps, we not only address immediate concerns but also work toward building a sustainable future for generations to come. The path forward requires both individual commitment and collective resolve to ensure that we preserve the planet’s health and resources for the future. Let us all unite and act against this growing adversity to help create a better world for all.
Resources
Press Office, "The warmest year on record globally." Met Office, 2024, https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news-and-media/media-centre/weather-and-climate-news/2024/2023-the-warmest-year-on-record-globally.
NASA GISS, "April 2023 Global Temperature Update." Twitter, 13 April, 2023, https://x.com/NASAGISS/status/1821924405817270609
World Meteorological Organization, "El Nino Weakens, Impacts Continue." WMO, 2024, https://wmo.int/news/media-centre/el-nino-weakens-impacts-continue#:~:text=But%20it%20takes%20place%20in%20the%20context%20of%20a%20climate%20being%20changed%20by%20human%20activities.
NASA, "Global Temperature." NASA Climate Change, n.d., https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/global-temperature/?intent=121
The Wall Street Journal, "U.S. Endures Two Extreme Weather Events." The Wall Street Journal, 24 August, 2023, https://www.wsj.com/video/us-endures-two-extreme-weather-events/16871CF8-8505-4D6B-BC15-6ACC96224F62.
United Nations. “Human Security and Climate Change.” United Nations, n.d., https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/human-security.
Business Standard. “Religion Over Environment: UP Govt Plans to Cut 33K Trees for Kanwar Route.” Business Standard, 28 July 2023, https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/religion-over-environment-up-govt-plans-to-cut-33k-trees-for-kanwar-route-124060100298_1.html.
World Wildlife Fund. “Effects of Deforestation.” World Wildlife Fund, n.d., https://www.wwf.org.uk/learn/effects-of/deforestation.
National Geographic. “Climate Change Predictions for 2070: A Third of the World's Population May Live in Extreme Heat.” National Geographic, 6 June 2023, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/climate-change-predictions-2070.
University of California, Davis. “How to Take Collective Action to Combat Climate Change.” UC Davis Climate Change, n.d., https://climatechange.ucdavis.edu/climate/what-can-i-do/how-to-take-collective-action-to-combat-climate-change.