Unprecedented Climate Events Mark the Year
The United Nations has highlighted 2024 as a year where climate change was starkly evident, with a series of extreme weather events and record-breaking temperatures, according to a statement released on Monday. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) declared this year to be the warmest on record, encapsulating a decade of escalating global heat.
Rising Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensify Climate Crisis
Despite the clear signals of climate distress, greenhouse gas emissions reached new highs, setting the stage for further temperature increases in the future. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized the escalating frequency and impact of extreme weather events, including devastating floods, intense tropical cyclones, and wildfires across multiple continents.
Impact of Extreme Weather Around the Globe
The year witnessed catastrophic rainfall and flooding, leading to significant loss of life and property. Notable incidents included severe flooding in Dubai and the destructive cyclones in Mayotte, highlighting the human and economic toll of these events. Heatwaves also pushed temperatures past 50 degrees Celsius in several countries, exacerbating the climate crisis.
Climate Goals and Reality
The Paris Agreement of 2015 set ambitious goals to keep global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius, aiming for 1.5 degrees if feasible. However, data from November indicated that the average temperature from January to September was already 1.54 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, signaling that 2024 would surpass the previous year’s record warmth.
Call for Urgent Action
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his New Year’s message, described the situation as “climate breakdown in real time.” He urged for immediate and dramatic reductions in emissions and a swift transition to renewable energy sources in 2025 to steer away from what he termed the “road to ruin.”
The WMO’s full report on the state of global climate for 2024 is expected in March, with preliminary temperature data to be published in January, providing a detailed look at the year’s climatic changes.