2024 has become a defining year in the fight against climate change, marking the first time global temperatures have surpassed the critical 1.5°C threshold compared to pre-industrial levels. According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), the planet’s average temperature in 2024 was 1.6°C higher than during the 1850-1900 period, signaling the profound impact of human activities on the Earth’s climate.
While this breach of 1.5°C does not immediately invalidate the long-term goals set by the 2015 Paris Agreement, scientists warn that it is a significant milestone. The agreement aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, to prevent catastrophic climate impacts. The Met Office in the UK confirmed that 2024’s likely breach is a direct result of increasing greenhouse gas emissions, which are pushing the planet toward irreversible climate consequences.
The past decade has seen some of the hottest years on record, with 2024 continuing this troubling trend. This year’s extreme temperatures were also influenced by the El Niño weather pattern, which amplified warming conditions globally. The combination of human-induced emissions and natural climate patterns is setting the stage for increasingly frequent and intense weather events.
The effects of this temperature rise are evident worldwide. In the U.S., devastating wildfires in California, floods in Nepal and Sudan, and heatwaves in Saudi Arabia and Mexico have claimed thousands of lives and caused extensive damage. The intensity of storms and rainfall events has also been linked to the heightened global temperatures, with atmospheric moisture reaching record highs.
Despite these alarming developments, the political will to tackle climate change has faltered in some countries, with leaders like U.S. President-elect Donald Trump dismissing climate change as a hoax. However, experts argue that there is still time to reverse course, emphasizing the urgent need for nations to reduce emissions rapidly to avoid worsening the situation. As the world moves into 2025, scientists predict that the year will likely remain one of the hottest on record, but the trajectory remains malleable, with collective action being the key to mitigating the worst impacts of climate change.
