Last month was recorded as the hottest February, according to new data from Copernicus, the European Union’s climate monitoring service. This marks the ninth consecutive month that global temperature records have been shattered, further underscoring the ongoing impact of human-induced climate change.
Copernicus found that February 2024 was 1.77 degrees Celsius warmer than the average February in pre-industrial times, contributing to the hottest 12-month period ever recorded, with temperatures exceeding pre-industrial levels by 1.56 degrees Celsius.
Carlo Buontempo, director of Copernicus, emphasized the significance of this trend, stating, “February joins the long streak of records of the last few months. As remarkable as this might appear, it is not really surprising as the continuous warming of the climate system inevitably leads to new temperature extremes.”
Also Read: Experts predict 2024 could surpass 2023 as hottest year
The data revealed that global temperatures during the first half of February were particularly extreme, with four consecutive days from February 8 to 11 registering temperatures 2 degrees Celsius warmer than pre-industrial levels. This alarming trend highlights the urgency of addressing climate change and adhering to the goals set forth in the Paris Agreement.
Furthermore, global ocean temperatures soared to unprecedented levels in February, reaching an average of 21.06 degrees Celsius – the highest on record for any month. Brian McNoldy, a senior research associate at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School, expressed shock at the magnitude of ocean heat, noting its detrimental effects on marine life and its role in exacerbating extreme weather events such as heat waves, heavy rainfall, and hurricanes.
Hannah Cloke, a climate scientist and professor at the University of Reading, emphasized the urgent need for immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. She warned that failure to address this crisis would have severe repercussions for future generations, stating, “If this evidence is ignored, our children’s generation, and all those that follow, will be justified in pointing to the people who lived in 2024 and cursing our reckless stupidity.”
The Copernicus data underscores the imperative for decisive measures to mitigate climate change and safeguard the planet for future generations.
