Copernicus: 2024 set to be first year above 1.5°C – Friends of the Earth reaction

Responding to the latest dispatch from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), which reports that 2024 is ‘virtually certain’ to be the first year to breach 1.5 degrees Celsius, Mike Childs, head of science, policy and research at Friends of the Earth, said:

“Our ailing planet is sending us every signal that it is in crisis – the latest being the deadly floods in Spain which have claimed the lives of so many and wreaked colossal damage.

“The time for dither and delay is long gone. We need global leaders to smash the emergency glass now and do everything in their power to prevent further harm. As well as accelerating a fair transition to green, low carbon economies, that means putting the measures in place that will protect people, properties and infrastructure from current and future impacts of climate change.

“With the UN climate talks looming, the UK must bring in stronger plans for delivering on our climate and nature targets, as well as a credible strategy to prepare us for the extreme weather and wider effects of climate change that are already baked in. And it must also do its fair share when it comes to global climate action, by supporting countries on the frontlines of climate breakdown to adapt to increasing weather extremes and transition away from fossil fuels.”