In 2024, Earth experienced its hottest year on record, surpassing a critical climate threshold, according to weather monitoring agencies cited by the Associated Press. This alarming development coincides with devastating wildfires in Las Vegas, California, home to Hollywood.
“This is a warning signal for urgent action,” said University of Georgia meteorology professor Marshall Shepherd, highlighting that extreme weather events like Hurricane Helene, floods in Spain, and California’s wildfires reflect a significant shift in the climate system. “We still have more gears to shift,” he added.
The global average temperature in 2024 exceeded the previous record set in 2023, surpassing the 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) warming limit established by the 2015 Paris climate agreement. The European Commission’s Copernicus Climate Service, the UK Met Office, and Japan’s weather agency reported increases ranging from 1.53 to 1.6 degrees Celsius (2.75 to 2.89 degrees Fahrenheit).
The EU agency warned that global temperatures are rising to unprecedented levels for modern humans. Although the 1.5C warming threshold hasn’t been permanently breached, the Copernicus Climate Change Service cautioned that it is dangerously close.
Los Angeles is currently battling deadly wildfires that have destroyed thousands of buildings and forced mass evacuations. President Joe Biden described the fires as the most “devastating” in California’s history, underscoring the reality of climate change.
Copernicus noted that the unprecedented warming in 2023 and 2024 has caused average temperatures to rise more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Despite the 2015 Paris Agreement’s goal to limit warming to 1.5C, the world remains far from achieving this target.
“We are on the brink of exceeding the 1.5C threshold,” warned Samantha Burgess, deputy director of Copernicus Climate.
She further emphasized the urgent need for global action to mitigate the effects of climate change and prevent further temperature increases. “This is a critical moment where immediate and sustained efforts are required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to renewable energy sources,” Burgess stated.
The impact of rising temperatures is already evident in the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events worldwide. From record-breaking heatwaves and devastating hurricanes to severe droughts and floods, the consequences of climate change are becoming more pronounced and widespread.
Experts are calling for stronger international cooperation and more ambitious climate policies to curb emissions and limit global warming. The upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) is expected to be a pivotal moment for nations to recommit to their climate goals and strengthen their efforts to combat the climate crisis.
Meanwhile, local communities and governments are also stepping up their climate resilience initiatives. Efforts to improve disaster preparedness, invest in sustainable infrastructure, and promote climate education are gaining momentum as the urgency of the situation becomes increasingly clear.
Despite the daunting challenges, there is still hope. Scientists and environmentalists believe that with concerted global action, it is possible to stabilize temperatures and prevent the most catastrophic outcomes of climate change. However, time is of the essence, and the window for effective action is rapidly closing.
