Last decade was Earth's hottest; CO2 at record high

A new report from the World Meteorological Organization reveals that the last decade was the hottest ever recorded on Earth. It states that the top ten hottest years occurred within this time frame, with carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere reaching a level not seen in 800,000 years. The report, released on Wednesday, highlights severe effects of climate change. It points out record-high ocean temperatures, rising sea levels, and rapidly melting glaciers. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that the planet is signaling distress and that leaders must take urgent action to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Human activity, particularly the burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil, is mainly responsible for the rising temperatures. A natural event known as El Niño contributed additional heat in 2024, pushing temperatures beyond the critical threshold for the first time, though this was for just one year. The report also warns that global warming is leading to more extreme weather events, affecting food security and causing significant economic damage. In 2024 alone, there were 151 unprecedented extreme weather occurrences. As these findings come to light, concerns are growing about the U.S. government's recent rollbacks on climate policies. The U.S. is the second-largest global polluter and has historically contributed the most greenhouse gas emissions. Experts worry this may lead other countries to lower their climate goals. Climate activists insist that immediate action is essential. They warn that delaying efforts to cut emissions will only worsen the ongoing climate crisis. Phasing out fossil fuels is framed as an urgent necessity for the health of the planet.