The UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year in the past 175 years of recorded data.
This year marks a significant milestone in climate change, with temperatures likely surpassing 1.5°C higher than pre-industrial levels.
The global temperature in 2024 was 1.55°C above the 1850-1900 average, setting a new record.
The “State of the Global Climate 2024” report highlights the severe impacts of extreme weather, including floods, droughts, cyclones, and wildfires, and emphasizes how rising ocean heat and sea levels are threatening communities around the world.
Although this year’s temperature rise is concerning, it does not mean the global climate goals outlined in the Paris Agreement are out of reach. However, the report emphasizes that the risks to our economies, lives, and environment are increasing. Rising temperatures are accelerating the melting of glaciers and ice sheets, contributing to rising sea levels. The oceans are warming, and their acidification is rising, while extreme weather events are becoming more intense.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and other global bodies are focusing on improving early warning systems to help protect people from extreme weather. However, only half of the world’s countries have effective systems, and stronger investments in climate services are urgently needed.
Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and cement production, are the main drivers behind the rise in carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. CO2 concentrations are now higher than they’ve been in at least 2 million years, and methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are also at record levels. These greenhouse gases trap heat, contributing to the warming of the planet.
To combat climate change, urgent action is required, including better early warning systems, more investments in climate services, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The challenge ahead is clear: we must act faster and stronger to protect our planet.
