The year 2024 has been marked as the hottest year on record, with the average global temperature exceeding 1.5°C above the pre-industrial level. This significant milestone was announced by the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), indicating the alarming rate at which the Earth’s climate is changing.
According to C3S, the global average temperature in 2024 was 0.72°C above the 1991-2020 average, making it the warmest year since records began in 1850. This increase in temperature has led to unprecedented heatwaves and heavy rainfall events, causing misery for millions of people around the world.
Human-induced climate change is identified as the primary driver of extreme air and sea surface temperatures, with factors like the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) also playing a role in the unusual temperatures observed in 2024. The coordination of data release by various global climate monitoring agencies highlighted the exceptional conditions experienced during the year.
The year 2024 saw record-high sea surface temperatures, as well as a significant increase in atmospheric water vapor levels. These conditions led to more days with high heat stress in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Additionally, the concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere continued to rise in 2024, reaching record levels.
It is evident that urgent action is needed to address the escalating climate crisis, as the impacts of global warming are becoming increasingly severe. The data from 2024 serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. Only through concerted global efforts can we hope to prevent further damage to our planet and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.
