BrainBuzz Academy

Why in the news?
In 2024, global temperatures breached the critical 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels for the first time, as reported by the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). This milestone signals a dangerous trend in global warming and brings the world closer to the point of no return, with experts warning about the severe consequences of exceeding the 2°C limit by 2050 without urgent emission reductions.
Key Takeaways:
1. Record-Breaking Global Temperatures
2024 was the warmest year on record, with an annual global temperature of 15.1°C.
It was 1.6°C higher than pre-industrial levels and 0.72°C above the 1991-2020 average.
Every month from January to June 2024 was the warmest in recorded history.
July 22, 2024 was the hottest day ever, with a global temperature of 17.16°C.
2. Sea Surface Temperature (SST) Records
The average SST in 2024 was 20.87°C, the highest ever recorded.
SSTs broke records from January to June 2024 and remained near-record levels through the rest of the year.
3. Role of El Niño
The El Niño event that began in June 2023 contributed to the record temperatures.
El Niño causes warming in the Central Equatorial Pacific, influencing global climate patterns.
The expected La Niña cooling effect did not occur in 2024.
4. Climate Implications for Developing Economies
Developing nations are more vulnerable to climate-related disasters like floods, droughts, and heatwaves.
COP29 climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, failed to secure sufficient financial support for these nations.
Increased climate costs could divert funds away from mitigation efforts.
5. Urgent Need for Emissions Reductions
Global emissions must peak by 2025 and decline by 43% by 2030 to avoid catastrophic warming.
Current commitments achieve only a 2.6% reduction by 2030.
In 2023, global carbon emissions reached 53 billion tonnes, continuing to rise annually (except for 2020 due to the pandemic).
6. Warnings from Experts
Roxy Mathew Koll, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology: Urgent global action on emissions is necessary to reverse this trajectory.
Joeri Rogelj, Grantham Institute: Every fraction of a degree increase harms ecosystems and human lives.
Vaibhav Chaturvedi, CEEW: Developing economies will bear the brunt of climate disasters without financial support from wealthier nations.
Looking Ahead
Experts predict that 2024's exceptional warming may not continue in 2025, but annual global temperatures are unlikely to cool significantly. The likelihood of breaching the 1.5°C threshold will become more frequent in the coming decade unless emissions are drastically reduced.

El Niño and La Niña Explained
El Niño and La Niña are climate patterns that occur in the Pacific Ocean and significantly influence global weather systems. They are part of the larger El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle and can last for several months to a few years, alternating between warming and cooling phases.
El Niño 🌡️ (The Warming Phase)
What Happens?
During El Niño, the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean becomes unusually warm.
Trade winds (winds blowing east to west along the equator) weaken or even reverse, disrupting normal ocean and atmospheric circulation.
Impacts:
Global Weather: Increased rainfall in South America (leading to floods) and droughts in Australia, Southeast Asia, and India.
Temperature: Global temperatures rise due to the warming of the Pacific Ocean.
Fisheries: Warm waters reduce the upwelling of nutrient-rich cold water, affecting marine life and fisheries, especially along the coasts of South America.
Storms: Enhanced tropical cyclone activity in the Pacific but reduced in the Atlantic.
La Niña ❄️ (The Cooling Phase)
What Happens?
La Niña is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific.
Trade winds strengthen, pushing warm surface water westward and causing increased upwelling of cold water from the ocean depths.
Impacts:
Global Weather: Opposite effects to El Niño:
Heavy rains in Australia, Indonesia, and Southeast Asia.
Droughts in South America and parts of the United States.
Temperature: Cooler global temperatures, sometimes referred to as the "cooling sibling" of El Niño.
Storms: Increased Atlantic hurricane activity due to favorable wind patterns.

Impact on India
El Niño: Reduces monsoon rainfall, leading to droughts and affecting agriculture.
La Niña: Strengthens monsoons, increasing rainfall and sometimes causing floods.
Why It Matters
El Niño and La Niña significantly impact agriculture, water resources, ecosystems, and even economies worldwide. Predicting their occurrence helps governments and industries prepare for weather extremes and mitigate their impacts.