Global warming: the WWF speaks out about the need for a change of direction
Global warming is one of the toughest challenges facing the world in the twenty-first century and its consequences, which are already apparent, are leading to increasingly intense debate over how to mitigate its effects. In order to appreciate the entity of this problem and the importance of taking immediate action, we should take a look at the data recently collected by the WWF.
It shows that during 2023, record temperatures were recorded throughout the world, making it the hottest year since the start of the industrial era, but although 2024 is not yet finished, the statistics recorded this year are already even worse; an extremely dangerous trend leading to growing concern among experts.
The current situation presented in the IPCC AR6 report
The IPCC AR6 report (prepared by the WWF’s Intergovernmental Group on Climate Change) paints the picture of an extremely serious scenario, especially when it comes to the current state of climate change:
- in 2023 alone, the temperature of the earth’s surface settled at between 1.34 and 1.54 °C, equating to a general temperature increase of 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels;
- in the first months of 2024, average temperature increases of +1.67°C were recorded compared to the three-decade period between 1991 and 2020.
The only positive note is that the threshold of alarm set by the United Nations in the Paris agreements, has not yet been surpassed, as this would mean global temperature increases remaining above 1.5°C for at least 20 consecutive years.
The reasons behind this slow but inexorable temperature increase are numerous, but mostly linked to human activity. The main culprit is the combustion of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas), followed by intensive agriculture and deforestation (which has had a significant impact on the quantity of CO2 released into the atmosphere).
The consequences of global warming
Global warming has many far-reaching consequences. Among the most visible are changes in weather patterns, more intense heat waves and the increased frequency and strength of extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods and droughts.
These disastrous events threaten food and water supplies, as well as the economic stability of many communities worldwide, leading to a domino effect with devastating consequences for the population.
As for the environment, both terrestrial and marine ecosystems are feeling the effects of the dramatic repercussions of global temperature increases. Coral reefs, at risk due to the acidification of the oceans, rain forests and polar regions threatened by the abnormal climate conditions, are all paying the price.
These changes are having a mounting effect on key factors like biodiversity, potentially putting the survival of a wide range of animal and plant species at risk.
A solution to the problem exists but we must act fast
In the report mentioned above, WWF scientists appeals directly to world governments, urging them to act fast to prevent imminent catastrophe.
International treaties such as the Paris agreements represent a step in the right direction because they oblige countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adopt more sustainable policies and technologies, but investment in this field still needs to be increased by least three- to six- fold.
Specific proposals are likely to be debated at the future COP29, together as well as the setting of new targets to be reached by 2030. These increasingly urgent objectives could make a huge difference for future generations.
Translated by Joanne Beckwith
