Ammon News - Head of the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) Raed Al Khattab, who is the Kingdom's official representative to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), confirmed that the organization's preliminary report on the state of the climate for the year 2024 shows 'very worrying indicators' that require an urgent response at all international and national levels.
In a statement, Al Khattab explained that the report indicated that the year 2024 is likely to be the hottest in history since temperature records began, as the global average warming temporarily exceeded the threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, adding that this exceptional rise is driven by the "El Niño" phenomenon and increased greenhouse gas emissions, which constitutes a clear global warning.
The report highlights severe climate changes and extreme weather phenomena, including violent hurricanes, heavy floods, severe drought, and increasing forest fires, in addition to recording record levels of melting glaciers and rising sea levels, Al Khattab noted.
He stressed that exceeding the 1.5°C threshold does not necessarily mean the failure of the Paris Climate Agreement, but it constitutes a clear call to intensify international efforts to limit global warming, especially since every additional increase in temperatures increases the severity and impact of extreme climate phenomena.
Jordan, as a member state of the WMO, is committed to enhancing climate monitoring and developing early warning systems, within the framework of the national strategy for adaptation to climate change, he added.
He also called for concerted international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the most affected countries through investments in adaptation and developing climate capacities.
He concluded, "This report represents a wake-up call for the entire world, and we in Jordan are aware of the magnitude of the challenges posed by climate change, and we are working to enhance our regional and international role in confronting this phenomenon for the sake of a safe and sustainable future for all."