The world experienced an unusually warm winter this year, with temperatures soaring to record highs in many parts of the globe. According to a recent analysis of temperature data from hundreds of locations worldwide, the winter season was uncharacteristically warm for half the world’s population, driven in large part by the burning of fossil fuels.
The European Union’s climate monitoring organization, Copernicus, reported that February 2024 was the hottest February on record globally, marking the ninth consecutive month of record temperatures. Global ocean temperatures also reached an all-time high in February, further highlighting the impact of climate change on the planet.
Climate Central, an independent research group, conducted a detailed analysis of temperature anomalies in 678 cities worldwide during December and January. The findings revealed that cities in North America, Europe, and Asia experienced significantly warmer winters, with the fingerprints of climate change clearly visible in the data.
In cities like Minneapolis, Tehran, and Milan, winter temperatures were several degrees higher than average, with the influence of climate change detected for a significant portion of the season. The report concluded that 4.8 billion people worldwide experienced at least one day of temperatures that would be virtually impossible without the influence of carbon pollution.
While some regions faced other crises like war, the impact of climate change was evident in the unusually warm winter weather. Cities in Ukraine, Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan all experienced warmer temperatures than usual, with climate change playing a role in the abnormal weather patterns.
Overall, the past 12 months have been the hottest on record globally, with February 2024 surpassing previous temperature records. Despite these alarming trends, experts warn that more action is needed to meet the goals set out in the Paris Agreement and prevent further global warming.
As the planet continues to experience rising temperatures and unprecedented climate events, the need for urgent and decisive action to combat climate change has never been more apparent.
