NASA reveals the real reason why 2024 could be the hottest year ever

The verdict is in. NASA has confirmed that July 2023 was the hottest month on record since 1880. This statement corroborates the feelings of billions of people around the world. As NASA Administrator Bill Nelson pointed out:

NASA data confirms what billions of people around the world have literally felt: temperatures in July 2023 were thehottest on record.

July 2023 has been the hottest month since 1880

Tangible signs of global warming

Today's global catastrophes are increasingly seen as direct evidence of global warming. From devastating wildfires to cataclysmic floods, the world seems to be going up in flames as a result of rising temperatures.

An unprecedented month of July

For 36 consecutive days, between July 3 and August 7, temperatures exceeded all previous records. This phenomenon had dramatic consequences across the globe, including massive population displacements and numerous deaths.

The ravages of climate change

In addition to high temperatures, our planet has suffered major disruptions to its atmospheric, glacial and oceanic systems, causing fires, floods and other catastrophes in various parts of the world.

Read more:Rare megafloods will become more common, study finds

Predictions for 2024 under the effect of El Niño

An alarming outlook for 2024

According to NOAA forecasts, 2023 could well be followed by an even warmer 2024. Forecasters at NOAA's Climate Prediction Center have stated that there is more than a 95% chance that the El Niño phenomenon will continue throughout the Northern Hemisphere winter.

Gavin Schmidt, Director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York, adds:

We therefore predict that not only will 2023 be exceptionally warm, if not a record year, but that 2024 will be even warmer.

This announcement is nothing new. Indeed, the United Nations (UN) has already made an alarming announcement concerning the return of the El Niño climate phenomenon, with major global impacts. With the onset of El Niño, the world is set to experience a significant rise in temperatures. This phenomenon, intrinsically linked to temperature changes in the Pacific Ocean, has global repercussions.

The world is already feeling the effects of global warming. The combination of El Niño and already high temperatures in the North Atlantic could have disastrous consequences, including accelerated global warming.

According to experts, we're on the cusp of a warmer-than-usual period, mainly due to this natural phenomenon coupled with current climate change.

Description and impacts of El Niño

El Niño is more than just a meteorological phenomenon. It is a significant change in global climate with large-scale consequences.

El Niño is an irregular climatic phenomenon lasting from six to 18 months. Occurring every two to seven years, it begins with a significant drop in winds over the Pacific Ocean. This leads to a rise in surface temperatures.

The domino effect of this heat is an increase in global temperatures. This is reflected in heavy rains in America, Central Asia and East Africa, contrasting with droughts in Australia, Central America and South Asia.

Already irreversible consequences

The reality is stark: global temperatures have already risen by 1.1°C, with a further 0.4°C inevitable. The ecological impacts are numerous, including the total disappearance of coral reefs on the American coast.

The importance of action in the face of alarming projections

Climatologist Zeke Hausfather of the University of Berkley stresses the importance of taking action, even in the face of gloomy forecasts:

Just because the situation isn't "worse than we thought" in terms of global temperatures doesn't mean the problem isn't serious and getting worse.

Faced with these alarming realities, it's becoming urgent to take concrete action to protect our communities and our planet. As Bill Nelson reminds us:

The science is clear. We must act now to protect our communities and our [livable] planet; it's the only one we have.

For decades, experts have been warning of the need to reduce fossil fuel (CO2) emissions. Yet, despite these warnings, many companies continue to prosper, often with the support of governments.

However, it has become clear that without a radical change in our system, the devastating effects of global warming will become even more pronounced. Every year that passes without action reinforces the urgency of the situation.

Read more:Death Valley in the USA: This is everything you should know about the hottest place on Earth

This article has been translated from Gentside FR.