World’s First Year-Long Breach of 1.5C Limit: What Does It Mean?

Global warming has exceeded the 1.5C limit set by the Paris Climate Agreement across an entire year for the first time. The Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that the average 12-month global temperature was 1.52C above pre-industrial levels, with January 2024 becoming the warmest on record. This year-long breach does not violate the Paris Agreement but indicates that further heating is likely, with severe consequences for low-lying and island nations already experiencing climate-related hardships.

Keeping below the 1.5C limit is crucial to moderate the most severe effects of global warming. Recent studies suggest that even a slight breach over 1.5C could lead to a significant increase in climate disasters and extreme weather events. As governments are urged to prioritize environmental policies and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the impact of animal agriculture on the climate crisis is also highlighted, with experts emphasizing the need for a shift towards plant-based diets to significantly reduce emissions and other environmental damage.