Welcome to June 2024, the hottest June ever recorded. This month marks the 13th in a row where temperatures have surpassed previous records. It’s a worrying trend driven by human activities and the El Niño phenomenon, leading scientists to predict that 2024 could be the hottest year we’ve ever seen.

The Copernicus Climate Change Service, a European Union agency, has confirmed this through their latest bulletin. This relentless increase in global temperatures is already causing havoc. Over a thousand pilgrims died from extreme heat during the Hajj pilgrimage. New Delhi faced a severe heatwave resulting in numerous deaths, and tourists in Greece also suffered under the scorching sun.

Friederike Otto, a climatologist at the Grantham Institute at Imperial College London, remarked, “There is a high chance that 2024 will be the hottest year on record. The El Niño phenomenon is naturally occurring, but we can stop the burning of oil, gas, and coal.”

El Niño, which warms surface water temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean, naturally pushes global temperatures higher. Though its impact has lessened recently, a neutral phase is now in place before the expected cooler La Niña later this year.

The main driver of climate change is still the relentless emission of greenhouse gases from fossil fuel combustion. Despite promises to limit global warming, nations have collectively failed to reduce these emissions, leading to a gradual increase in temperatures over the years.

The consequences of inaction are becoming clearer and more severe. The June heatwave is a stark reminder of the urgent need to address climate change. We must move away from fossil fuels and adopt renewable energy sources to curb further temperature rises and prevent future disasters.

This situation calls for action from governments, industries, and individuals. We must unite and take decisive steps to avoid a climate catastrophe and ensure a safer, more sustainable future for the coming generations.