2024 Marks Hottest Year on Record as Global Temperatures Surge

The year 2024 has been officially recorded as the hottest year in history, with global average temperatures surpassing the crucial threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The average temperature in 2024 was measured at 1.6 degrees Celsius above the historical baseline from 1850-1900.

The past decade has shown a concerning trend, with all ten of the warmest years on record occurring within this timeframe. The European climate agency, Copernicus, reported that the global average temperature in 2024 reached 15.1 degrees Celsius, marking a significant increase compared to previous years.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the gravity of this situation, stating, "Today’s assessment from the WMO proves yet again – global heating is a cold, hard fact." He urged world leaders to take urgent action to combat climate change and to prepare for intensified extreme weather events in the coming years.

Climate experts have warned that the world is entering a new era of climate reality, characterized by more frequent and severe heatwaves, floods, and storms. They stress the need for immediate adaptation efforts and a transition from fossil fuels to clean energy.

The increasing sea temperatures have been identified as a significant factor contributing to the record high temperatures, with about 90% of excess heat from global warming being stored in the oceans. As this alarming trend continues, calls for substantial climate financing to support developing countries have grown louder, especially in the lead-up to the UN climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Without immediate and systematic global action, projections suggest a trajectory towards a potential 3 degrees Celsius warming by the end of the century, far surpassing the limits set by the Paris Agreement.