The month of June 2024 has just been declared the hottest ever recorded in the history of our planet, marking the 13th consecutive month of record-breaking temperatures. This alarming information, reported by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), highlights the growing urgency of the global climate crisis.
With a global average temperature exceeding the 20th-century average by 1.22°C, this new record is part of a worrying trend. NOAA scientists predict with near certainty that 2024 will rank among the five hottest years ever recorded, with a 60% chance of being the hottest year in history.
This unprecedented heatwave is affecting almost all regions of the globe. Africa, Asia, and South America experienced their hottest June, while Europe recorded its second hottest month. Only a few areas, such as western Canada and parts of Antarctica, have escaped this trend.
The oceans are not spared, with record surface temperatures since April 2023. This situation is particularly concerning, as the oceans play a crucial role in regulating the global climate.
The consequences of this warming are already visible. The snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere in June was among the lowest ever recorded, while the extent of sea ice reached its second lowest level in 46 years of observation.
These data underscore the urgency of immediate and drastic climate action. Governments, businesses, and individuals must take concrete measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Experts are calling for a rapid transition to renewable energies, reduced consumption, better management of natural resources, and massive investments in green technologies and nature-based solutions.
As the world faces this unprecedented climate crisis, the question is no longer whether we must act, but how we can act as quickly and effectively as possible to preserve our planet for future generations. R.I.
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