Context : Record-Breaking Temperatures and Humidity
- 2024 recorded a temperature anomaly of 1.55°C above the pre-industrial average (1850–1900), surpassing the 1.5°C threshold outlined in the Paris Agreement.
- Water vapour in the atmosphere was 4.9% above the 1991–2020 average, marking the highest in at least 33 years.
Relevance : GS 3(Environment)
Global Warming Feedback Loops:
- Warmer temperatures drive higher surface evaporation and enable the atmosphere to retain more water vapour, intensifying a feedback loop of warming and moisture accumulation.
- Water vapour, being a potent greenhouse gas, amplifies global warming, setting the stage for extreme precipitation and weather events.
Extreme Weather Events in 2024:
- Catastrophic floods occurred across Sudan, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, Chad, and Spain.
- The United States faced the devastation of Hurricane Helene.
- Increased atmospheric moisture directly influenced these events, as noted by the World Weather Attribution consortium.
Oceanic Heat and Moisture:
- Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in 2024 were 0.61°C above the 1981–2020 baseline, breaking records despite a shift to neutral El Niño conditions.
- High SSTs contributed to record ocean heat content, fueling more atmospheric moisture and intensifying extreme events.
Geographical Anomalies:
- Regions like India, northeastern North America, Sahara Desert, Russia, and China recorded unprecedented ‘Total Column Water Vapour’ levels.
Scientific Consensus:
- The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) and World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirm the role of greenhouse gases in amplifying atmospheric moisture and warming.
- While single-year anomalies like 2024 don’t signify an immediate failure of climate goals, they highlight the urgent need for mitigation.
Future Risks:
- Accelerated feedback loops involving warming, water vapour, SSTs, and ocean heat content pose a threat of more frequent and severe extreme weather events, glacial melting, and sea-level rise.
- Enhanced understanding and global policy responses are crucial to address these escalating impacts.
Reflection:
The year 2024 serves as a stark reminder of the intensifying effects of climate change, emphasizing the critical need for both mitigation and adaptation strategies. With each fraction of a degree of warming, the urgency for robust global action becomes increasingly clear.
