Date: Tuesday, 17 December 2024
The Earth has been warming for decades, but something extraordinary is happening now global temperatures are rising so fast that even scientists are struggling to explain why. Over the past two years, record-breaking heat has pushed the planet into uncharted territory, baffling experts and leaving many questions unanswered.
What’s Happening?
Since mid-2023, global temperatures have been soaring, shattering previous records. According to the World Meteorological Organization, the heat observed between June 2023 and September 2024 is unlike anything seen before. This spike is so extreme that it made 2023 and now 2024 the hottest years ever recorded.
NASA scientist Gavin Schmidt admits, “Warming in 2023 was head-and-shoulders above any other year, and 2024 will be as well. I wish I knew why.”
The Usual Suspects
Scientists agree that burning fossil fuels remains the main culprit. As emissions hit record highs, greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide continue to trap heat near the Earth’s surface, fueling long-term warming.
But this recent heat surge has scientists questioning:
- El Nino & La Nina: A strong El Nino event in 2023 warmed the planet after a rare three-year cooling effect from La Nina. Yet, even after El Nino peaked, temperatures have remained unusually high.
- Shifting Clouds & Cleaner Air: Cleaner shipping fuels have reduced sulphur pollution, which once made clouds reflect sunlight. Less pollution may mean more heat is reaching Earth.
- Carbon Sink Weakening: Forests, oceans, and the Arctic tundra—Earth’s natural carbon storage systems—are showing signs of losing their ability to absorb CO₂.
What’s at Stake?
The consequences of this unexplained heat are profound. Oceans, which regulate much of Earth’s climate, are warming at a rate scientists “cannot fully explain.” Johan Rockstrom of the Potsdam Institute warned, “Could this be the first sign of a planet starting to lose its resilience? We cannot exclude it.”
At the same time, Arctic tundra, once a massive carbon sink, is now becoming a source of emissions, further compounding the crisis.
The Verdict?
For now, scientists are still searching for answers. Theories about solar cycles, volcanic activity, and cloud changes are being investigated, but the truth remains elusive. Experts like Robert Vautard from the UN climate panel emphasize that if temperatures don’t drop sharply in 2025, deeper questions about how the climate system is changing will need to be asked.
“The record global warmth of the past two years has sent the planet well into uncharted territory,” said climate scientist Richard Allan.
The jury is still out, but one thing is clear: Earth is sending warning signs we cannot ignore.
Source: Malay Mail