IN 2023, Earth hit an alarming milestone. The year, with a global average temperature of 14.98°C, was the hottest on record. This dire reality, confirmed by the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, underscores an urgent call to action for humanity. Several factors contributed to this unprecedented global warming. The primary culprit remains the relentless increase in greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide and methane, which reached record atmospheric concentrations last year. The El Niño phenomenon, which typically heralds warmer temperatures globally, also played a significant role. Additionally, natural events like the underwater volcano eruption near Tonga, and reduced sulfur pollution from ships — which lowered the cooling effect of aerosols — contributed to high temperatures. The impacts have been profound and far-reaching. Record-low sea ice in Antarctica, devastating wildfires in Canada, and extreme heat across continents are just a few manifestations of this escalating crisis. These events are clear indicators of a rapidly changing climate system.

Moving forward, the path is clear. The first step must be a global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to the 2023 Emissions Gap Report, emissions must be cut by 42pc by 2030 to limit warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels — a target rapidly slipping from our grasp. In a silver lining, at the recently held COP28 climate summit, 27 countries pledged to the Buildings Breakthrough, and more than 60 countries joined the Global Cooling Pledge and Global Methane Pledge, to work towards this. Countries must transition to renewable energy sources, enhance energy efficiency, and adopt sustainable practices across all sectors of the economy. Adaptation strategies are equally vital. Investing in resilient infrastructure, developing climate-smart agriculture, and conserving natural ecosystems are imperative to withstand the already certain impacts of climate change. The choices we make today will determine the liveability of our planet for generations. It’s a responsibility we cannot afford to ignore.

Published in Dawn, January 11th, 2024