2024 Likely to be Hottest Year in 100,000 Years, Warns Climate Expert

ESSpain|

In a recent assessment, Carlo Buontempo, director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, announced that 2024 is likely to be the hottest year recorded in the last 100,000 years. Various global climate monitoring organizations, including NASA and the World Meteorological Organization, have confirmed this finding, emphasizing that the last decade has consistently featured among the warmest years on record.

Buontempo highlighted the critical need for society to utilize the vast amount of scientific data available regarding climate change, expressing concern over the failure to leverage this information effectively. “These are not opinions, they’re facts,” he stated, underscoring the dire implications of the current climate crisis.

The report further notes that 2024 is the first year to reach an average global temperature of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Although this benchmark is often a topic of discussion due to the Paris Agreement, Buontempo cautions that such figures should be viewed within a long-term context.

Experts believe that rising atmospheric humidity, resulting from increased temperatures, plays a significant role in the intensity of extreme weather events, including last year’s catastrophic flooding in Spain and similar occurrences throughout Europe.

Despite the alarming trends, Buontempo remarked that societal awareness and action regarding climate data remain insufficient. He encourages a shift towards prioritizing greenhouse gas emission reductions for a sustainable future.

Weekly Newsletter

Loading...

More from Spain

Spanish Police Rescue Three Children from 'House of Horrors'

Three children, aged 8 (twins) and 10, were rescued by Spanish police from a home in Oviedo where they had been locked inside since 2021, according to local reports. Officers arrested a 53-year-old German man and a 48-year-old American woman, who are facing charges of domestic violence, habitual psychological abuse, and child abandonment. Both suspects are currently in pretrial detention without bail. The investigation was initiated after a neighbor reported concerns when the children failed to attend school. Reports indicated that locals had not seen anyone enter or leave the property since December 2021, coinciding with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon visiting the property during recent power outages, police found the home filled with rubbish and an excessive amount of medications and masks. Oviedo Police Chief Javier Lozano described the scene as a "house of horrors," stating that the children were in “terrible shape” yet not malnourished. The children have since been taken for medical evaluation and are now in government custody at a juvenile center.
ESSpain

Widespread Power Outage Causes Chaos Across Europe

A significant power outage swept through major parts of Spain and Portugal on April 28, 2025, disrupting traffic and services in multiple sectors. According to Spain’s grid operator, electricity supply was lost across the entire Iberian Peninsula, with reports of outages extending into parts of France. The blackout severely affected road, rail, and air traffic, halting subway systems and disabling traffic lights in cities like Madrid and Lisbon. In Madrid, Barajas Airport experienced power failures, and train services were halted entirely, leading to crowded metro stations and chaotic street conditions. “I saw a massive bus coming, and I had to accelerate a lot to go past it,” said one driver caught in the mayhem, describing the scene as “a bit of a jungle.” Portugal’s grid operator Redes Energéticas Nacionais confirmed that the outage also hit Lisbon and surrounding areas. Emergency services in Madrid advised residents to minimize movement and avoid roads to facilitate rescue efforts. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the outage, which is expected to last for several hours, compounding frustrations for travelers and commuters alike.
ESSpain

Europe Faces Widespread Power Outage Causing Major Disruptions

A significant power outage affected large areas of Spain and Portugal on April 28, 2025, leading to widespread chaos across transport networks. According to Spain’s grid operator, electricity was cut off, causing the shutdown of traffic lights, subway systems, and airports, crippling major infrastructure. The outage impacted major cities, including Lisbon and Madrid, as well as northern and southern Portugal. Portugal’s grid operator, Redes Energéticas Nacionais, stated that electrical supply was lost across the Iberian Peninsula and parts of France. Stranded passengers at Barajas Airport in Madrid faced significant delays, with the metro services in Valencia completely suspended and other critical services halted. Footage on social media depicted darkened metro stations and commuters navigating pitch-black tunnels. Madrid's mayor, José Luis Martinez Almeida, advised residents to minimize movement and only contact emergency services when necessary amid the escalating crisis. As restoration efforts continue, officials estimate it could take several hours before power returns to affected regions.
ESSpain