The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has raised urgent concerns over global temperatures, indicating that 2024 may end up as the hottest year ever recorded. This stark message comes as WMO presented its report to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, ahead of the 29th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. The report, covering data from January to September 2024, reflects alarming temperature rises from multiple international datasets, further underlining the rapidly escalating impacts of climate change.
Guterres underscored the gravity of the situation, stating, “Humanity’s torching the planet and paying the price.” The WMO’s report serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for transformative climate action as extreme weather events and warming trends reach unprecedented levels.
Record-Breaking Temperatures and the Global Warming Crisis
The WMO’s data reflects that global temperatures from January to September have already outpaced those from the same period in 2023, which was previously the hottest year on record. This trend suggests that 2024 is likely to set new temperature records, with the global average near-surface temperature surpassing previous years. A report slated for release next week by the WMO, titled State of the Climate 2024, will address significant climate indicators, including global near-surface temperatures, ocean heat levels, sea level rise, changes in sea ice and glaciers, and extreme weather events impacting sustainable development.
The WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo is scheduled to present highlights from the State of the Climate Update at COP29. In addition to illustrating the status of global warming, the report aims to convey the compounding consequences of the ongoing climate crisis, calling for urgent global action to reduce emissions, transition to renewable energy sources, and implement sustainable practices across industries.
Advanced Data Collection and Reanalysis
To produce its assessments, the WMO relies on comprehensive climatological datasets from global observing sites, marine networks, and reanalysis models. Contributions come from various organizations, including the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, the United Kingdom’s Met Office Hadley Centre, and the University of East Anglia’s Climatic Research Unit. Further data is provided by Berkeley Earth, European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), and the Japan Meteorological Agency.
One significant source of this data is the Copernicus Climate Change Service’s ERA5 dataset, which integrates millions of meteorological and marine observations through a weather model. By combining observations with modelled values, the reanalysis process offers a more complete understanding of the atmosphere’s state, making it possible to estimate global temperatures even in remote and sparsely monitored regions like the polar areas and vast oceanic expanses.
This powerful dataset from Copernicus reveals that October 2024 was the second warmest October on record, falling behind October 2023. With each passing month recording record or near-record temperatures, the data points to a clear warming trend, making it nearly certain that 2024 will surpass previous years in terms of average global temperatures.
Warming Oceans, Rising Sea Levels, and Extreme Weather
The report on State of the Climate 2024 is expected to highlight alarming trends in oceanic and atmospheric patterns, which not only affect global temperatures but also influence extreme weather events. With oceans absorbing much of the excess heat, marine ecosystems are under considerable strain, disrupting biodiversity and impacting fisheries and coastal communities. Rising sea levels and melting glaciers further compound these risks, putting low-lying areas and island nations at an increased risk of flooding and storm surges.
Extreme weather events, from hurricanes and wildfires to heatwaves and droughts, are also expected to be discussed in the upcoming report. These events, driven in part by warmer temperatures, are becoming more frequent and severe, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities and ecosystems. As temperatures continue to rise, the frequency and intensity of such events are predicted to escalate, posing significant risks to sustainable development, food security, and global health.
COP29: A Platform for Urgent Climate Action
With COP29 set to begin in Baku, the WMO’s findings arrive at a pivotal moment for the global community. Climate experts and world leaders are set to discuss critical strategies and make binding commitments to address the accelerating climate crisis. The WMO’s report is a call to action, urging nations to adopt ambitious emission reduction targets, invest in climate resilience, and prioritize sustainable practices.
As WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo and other leaders prepare to address these issues at COP29, the global community is reminded of the interconnectedness of climate, ecosystems, and human well-being. While the data underscores a daunting trajectory, it also reinforces the need for collective action to mitigate the consequences of climate change and transition towards a sustainable and resilient future.
The WMO’s warnings highlight that the consequences of inaction are already being felt across the globe, from rising temperatures to more extreme weather events. With the year 2024 set to mark a new record for global warming, COP29 presents an opportunity for the world to respond decisively to this unprecedented environmental challenge.
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