2024 will be hotter than previous years – Prof. Gordon

Environmental scientist Professor Chris Gordon has issued a stark warning, predicting that 2024 will be hotter than preceding years as temperatures continue their upward trend in Ghana.

Highlighting the concerning pattern of escalating temperatures both globally and nationally, Professor Gordon expressed his apprehension, particularly in light of the ongoing power outages plaguing Ghanaian communities.

During an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, April 8, 2024, Professor Gordon underscored the profound impact of rising temperatures on the populace.

He cited a notable instance in January 2021 when Accra recorded a scorching temperature of 39.5 degrees Celsius, significantly surpassing the typical average.

Such spikes in temperature present a grave concern, especially for residents of informal settlements grappling with substandard housing and inadequate ventilation.

Professor Gordon stressed the urgent imperative for action to confront the mounting challenges of climate change.

He pointed out a critical deficiency in the design of buildings, noting insufficient spacing between structures and a lack of proper ventilation, rendering them ill-equipped to withstand climatic pressures.

Moreover, Professor Gordon highlighted the glaring disparity between different tiers of housing, with occupants of air-conditioned residences encountering fewer adversities than those inhabiting informal settlements.

“Well, unfortunately, 2024 is going to be hotter than 2023. That is the trend globally and nationally. Every year is hotter than the previous year on average. And I should point out that I just checked the record. In January 2021, Accra had a temperature of 39.5 degrees centigrade, which is almost 57 degrees higher than normal. And it is those spikes which are the problem.”

“Yes, we have made a mess, as I have been saying, for decades now. And we need to solve it. Unfortunately, I was listening to the programme. All the points made by your people in the studio, the people who have phoned in and so forth, they are all valid. The way we design our buildings, we just decimate the space in between buildings. Back in the day, we are supposed to leave 10 feet between your fence wall and the building. ”

“Now people are building one foot away from the fence wall. We have problems with the glass that you’re talking about. Everything that would make us climate-resilient, we are not doing. This is something that we at my institute, the Institute for Environments and Financial Studies, we sort of anticipated about five, six years ago, and we have developed two projects currently, looking at urban heat and health.”

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