2024 surpasses previous temperature records globally and in the Pacific, signaling urgent climate concerns.
2024 has been officially declared the warmest year on record, with global temperatures surpassing 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). This marks a significant shift in global climate trends.
Regionally, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, through the Climate and Ocean Support Program in the Pacific (COSPPac), analyzed the Fifth Generation of European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis (ERA5) dataset for the Western Pacific. The findings confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year not only globally but also in the Western Pacific. Average air temperatures for the region were 0.87°C higher than the 1961-1990 baseline, meaning the temperatures in the region during 2024 were almost a full degree hotter than what was considered the “normal” temperature for this area decades ago.
The data revealed that several Pacific nations experienced some of the largest temperature increases, including Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, and the Southern Federated States of Micronesia. The first half of 2024 saw more temperature records broken than the second half. Notable months included January, February, March, May, August, and October, which all recorded their highest average temperatures. Additionally, several months saw new records for both daytime (maximum) and nighttime (minimum) temperatures. This surge occurred amid the waning stages of the 2023 El Niño event. El Niño typically causes warmer conditions in the Pacific.
The analysis also noted that the five warmest years on record in the Western Pacific have all occurred since 2016, signaling a sustained warming trend.
Mr. Levu Antfalo, Chair of the Pacific Meteorological Council, acknowledged the challenges that rising temperatures pose to the region, which already faces development issues and vulnerability to natural disasters. “Pacific Island countries already face a range of development challenges and a relatively high exposure to disasters. Historical and further projected warming presents another challenging dimension that the region will need to grapple with,” he stated.
The rising temperatures are expected to have significant impacts on various sectors, including human health, food security, and the environment. Experts emphasize the importance of continued monitoring to track the changes and mitigate potential risks. “We cannot manage what we do not measure,” Mr. Antfalo added.
Since 1950, regional average air temperatures in the Pacific have increased by 0.1°C per decade, emphasising the need for sustained efforts to address climate-related challenges in the Pacific Islands.
Source: SPC Media
