“Global Carbon Emissions Hit Record High in 2024: Urgent Action Needed Now”

Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels have hit a record high in 2024, with no signs of peaking, according to a report by scientists. The researchers found that humans released 41.2 billion tons (37.4 billion metric tons) of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere in 2024, representing a 0.8% increase from the previous year.

When combined with emissions from land-use changes like deforestation, the total carbon dioxide emissions in 2024 reached 45.8 billion tons (41.6 billion metric tons). This alarming rate of emissions raises concerns as it is estimated that there is a 50% chance of global warming consistently exceeding the 1.5 Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) target set by the Paris Agreement within the next six years.

Lead author of the study, Pierre Friedlingstein, a professor of climate science at Exeter University in the U.K., emphasized the urgent need for world leaders to take rapid and deep cuts to fossil fuel emissions to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. The report was released during the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Azerbaijan, highlighting the critical need for immediate action.

To achieve the Paris Agreement target, global greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. However, projections indicate that emissions from oil and gas are expected to increase by 0.9% and 2.4%, respectively, while coal emissions, previously believed to have peaked in 2014, will rise by 0.2%. Emissions are predicted to increase in India by 4.6% and in China by 0.2%, with decreases in the European Union by 3.8% and the U.S. by 0.6%.

Despite these grim statistics, the authors of the report acknowledge some positive steps taken towards transitioning away from fossil fuels, such as the increasing use of renewables and electric cars. However, these incremental changes are not sufficient to achieve the necessary reduction in global CO2 emissions by the end of the decade.

Furthermore, the report highlights the importance of untested solutions like carbon capture to achieve net-zero emissions, as roughly half of greenhouse gas emissions are currently absorbed by ocean and land sinks. Without significant global efforts to reduce emissions and implement innovative solutions, the world will continue to experience rising temperatures and severe climate impacts.

The findings underscore the critical need for immediate and decisive action to combat climate change and meet the targets set by the Paris Agreement. World leaders must prioritize sustainable and renewable energy sources while phasing out fossil fuels to mitigate the devastating effects of global warming.