The world experienced an unusually warm winter, with temperatures soaring to record highs in many cities across North America, Europe, and Asia. A recent analysis conducted by Climate Central found that the fingerprints of climate change were unmistakably present in the abnormal winter temperatures.
In cities like Minneapolis, Tehran, and Milan, winter temperatures were significantly higher than average, with the influence of climate change detected for a large portion of the season. The report concluded that 4.8 billion people worldwide experienced temperatures that would have been virtually impossible without the impact of carbon pollution.
Even in regions typically known for their hot climates, such as Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur, the effects of climate change were evident, despite smaller temperature increases. The global trend of rising temperatures was further confirmed by the Copernicus Climate Change Service, which reported that February 2024 was the warmest February on record.
While these findings are alarming, they do not necessarily mean that we have surpassed the international goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. However, the consistently rising temperatures and record-breaking ocean temperatures indicate a pressing need for action to combat climate change.
As the world continues to grapple with the consequences of a warming planet, it is clear that urgent measures must be taken to mitigate the impact of climate change and protect the environment for future generations.
