Global heating breaches 1.5C threshold over full year for first time
The IndependentSign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Global warming has exceeded 1.5C across an entire year for the first time, with January breaking new temperature records, new findings have shown. open image in gallery Map shows surface air temperatures for January with areas in pink and red showing temperature levels hotter than average ) In 2015, an international agreement was signed by 197 countries vowing to prevent the temperatures rising above 1.5C or maximum 2C above the pre-industrial levels. However, he adds: “A single year above the 1.5C threshold is not enough to breach the Paris climate agreement as the agreement concerns temperatures averaged over 20 to 30 years.” Scientists say while the sudden surge starting from 2023 is driven by natural causes like El Nino as well, the underlying issue remains that carbon pollution from burning fossil fuels. open image in gallery Like many other countries in Europe, France has experienced an unusually warm January, with temperatures remaining above 0ºC in the French Pyrenees region, leading to lack of snow While the Arctic sea ice in January 2024 was close to average, Antarctica, which had sea ice coverage at a record low in 2023, saw its sixth-lowest sea ice extent at 18 per cent below average.