SINGAPORE: The United Nations’ weather and climate agency chief on Wednesday warned that rising temperatures should trigger a global “red alert”, after global heat indices again smashed records in August 2024.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) chief, Celeste Saulo, highlighted that rising temperatures have once again surpassed historical highs, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced climate action and monitoring.
Preliminary data from the European Union’s climate monitoring service, Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), reveals that August 2024 saw record average temperatures for the second consecutive year. This follows a trend of increasingly extreme temperature records, with Australia, Japan, parts of China, and Norway all experiencing their hottest August on record.
“It’s clear that the temperatures are rising beyond what we would like,” Saulo stated at a regional climate forum held in Singapore. She emphasized that the current level of action to combat climate change is insufficient, urging for intensified efforts and more resources to address the crisis.
Although the precise official global average temperature for August 2024 is not yet confirmed, the Climate Pulse data tool from C3S suggests it will likely match or exceed the previous record of 16.82 degrees Celsius (62.28 degrees Fahrenheit) set in August 2023.
Saulo said that “thresholds are all the time being beaten,” reflecting an alarming trend in global temperatures.
The August heatwave continues a near-uninterrupted 15-month streak of record-breaking temperatures, with each month surpassing its historical average. This streak underscores the urgent need for global climate action, as the impacts of rising temperatures become increasingly severe.
The WMO’s latest assessment on climate change impacts in Asia and the Pacific has raised concerns about sea-level rise, which is occurring at above-average rates in many regions. This assessment further emphasizes the need for robust climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
During the climate forum, it was also announced that Singapore will be designated as a regional hub for monitoring pollution resulting from vegetation fires and smoke. This new center, one of only two such facilities globally, will enhance the quality and availability of information on fire-related pollution and forecasts, addressing a significant gap in regional data.
Saulo’s call for increased support for meteorological agencies highlights the growing recognition of the need for comprehensive climate monitoring and data collection. The establishment of such regional hubs and the expansion of monitoring capabilities will be crucial in managing and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
