The United Nations has declared 2024 as the hottest year ever recorded, marking the culmination of a decade of unprecedented global heat.
In its latest report, the UN's World Meteorological Organization (WMO) highlighted the alarming effects of climate change, urging swift action to avert further devastation.
The WMO emphasized how climate change has manifested through increasingly severe weather events worldwide. From record-breaking rainfall and deadly floods to catastrophic wildfires and tropical cyclones, the toll on human lives and economies has been immense.
"In 2024, intense heat waves gripped multiple countries, with temperatures soaring past 50°C (122°F) on several occasions," noted Celeste Saulo, WMO Secretary-General. "These events have caused widespread heartbreak and suffering on every continent."
The Paris Agreement of 2015 aimed to limit global warming to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with an aspirational target of 1.5°C. However, data for January through September 2024 revealed a mean global surface temperature 1.54°C higher than the pre-industrial average. This surpasses the 2023 record, underscoring the urgent need to address rising greenhouse gas emissions, which hit new highs this year.
The consolidated global temperature for 2024 will be released in January, followed by a comprehensive State of the Global Climate 2024 report in March.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the past decade as a "decade of deadly heat," with the 10 hottest years on record occurring consecutively. Reflecting on the escalating crisis, he called for immediate and significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and a shift towards renewable energy.
"This is climate breakdown in real time," Guterres stated. "We must change course immediately. By 2025, countries need to commit to a safer, more sustainable future through dramatic emissions cuts and renewable energy investments."
Looking ahead, the WMO will mark its 75th anniversary in 2025 by focusing on the cryosphere - the frozen regions of Earth, including glaciers, sea ice, and permafrost. The agency also plans to enhance climate services and early warning systems to better respond to the intensifying climate crisis.
"We cannot afford to wait," Saulo reiterated. "A safer planet is still within reach, but only if we act decisively now."
To address the growing threats posed by extreme heat, the WMO recently hosted experts from 15 international organizations and multiple countries to devise a coordinated response framework.