Heatwaves, wildfires, and tropical storms were more intense, fueled by rising global temperatures and record ocean heat.

 

Heatwaves, wildfires, and tropical storms were more intense, fueled by rising global temperatures and record ocean heat.

 

For the first time in recorded history, the Earth's global temperature surpassed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Data from the European Copernicus Climate Service confirmed 2024 as the hottest year ever recorded, with an average global temperature around 1.6°C above pre-industrial levels. 

 

This marked an increase of over 0.1°C from the previous record set in 2023.

While the international 1.5°C target refers to long-term averages rather than individual years, this development underscores how close humanity is to breaching the threshold that world leaders vowed to avoid during the 2015 Paris Agreement.

 

The rise in global temperatures is predominantly driven by record-high emissions of planet-warming gases like carbon dioxide, with natural phenomena like El Niño playing a smaller but notable role. 

 

The impacts of this warming were felt across the globe in 2024. From scorching heatwaves in West Africa to devastating wildfires in California, climate-related extreme events became more frequent and severe. Ocean temperatures also hit record highs, and atmospheric moisture levels reached unprecedented levels. 

 

Scientists warn that even fractions of a degree of warming can intensify these events, but emphasize that humanity still has the power to alter its trajectory. Limiting warming to below 2°C—or even 1.7°C—through immediate reductions in greenhouse gas emissions remains critical to avoiding the worst consequences of climate change.