The rising global temperatures should prompt a global "red alert," according to Celeste Saulo, head of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Saulo's call comes after preliminary data revealed that August 2024 set new records for average global temperatures for the second consecutive year.
According to the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), global heat indices soared again in August, surpassing the previous record average temperature of 16.82 degrees Celsius (62.28 Fahrenheit) set in August 2023. The record-breaking heat was also felt in Australia, Japan, parts of China, and Norway, which all reported their hottest Augusts on record.
"It's clear that temperatures are rising beyond what we would like," Saulo stated at a regional climate forum in Singapore. She attributed this trend to insufficient action to address climate change. "Thresholds are constantly being surpassed," Saulo added, highlighting the urgent need for improved monitoring and support for meteorological agencies. "We need more resources," she emphasized.
The forum, which follows the WMO's recent assessment of climate change impacts in Asia and the Pacific, also highlighted concerns about above-average sea-level rise in many areas. The record-setting August continues a nearly uninterrupted 15-month streak of each month surpassing its own temperature record for the time of year, according to C3S.
Additionally, the forum announced that Singapore has been designated as a regional hub for monitoring pollution caused by vegetation fires and smoke. As one of only two such centers globally, this facility will enhance the quality of information and forecasts related to fires and pollution, addressing a critical gap in regional data.