2024: Hottest year ever, surpassing critical global warming limit

Sharjah 24 – AFP: The year 2024 has been confirmed as the hottest on record, exceeding a critical 1.5°C global warming threshold for the first time. The UN has warned that this breach places the world in "grave danger" of irreversible climate damage.

UN calls for urgent climate action

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasised the need for "trail-blazing" climate action in 2025, stating that while the 1.5°C limit hasn't been permanently breached, urgent steps must be taken to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Global temperature records and extreme weather events

According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), global average temperatures in 2024 were 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels. This extreme heat has exacerbated disasters around the world, including deadly wildfires in Los Angeles and devastating flooding in Europe and Africa, costing more than $300 billion.

The danger of exceeding 1.5°C

While one year of exceeding 1.5°C does not mean the Paris Agreement targets are lost, experts warn that it marks a "stark warning" of the potential future consequences. With every fraction of a degree above 1.5°C, climate risks increase, making storms, droughts, and floods more frequent and severe.

Ocean temperatures and extreme weather

The oceans, which absorb 90% of excess heat, also reached record levels in 2024, intensifying storms and causing havoc for marine life and coral reefs. Scientists note that the El Niño phenomenon in 2023 contributed to the extreme temperatures, but global temperatures have remained high even after its end.

A critical turning point

Experts stress that the world is "teetering" on the edge of permanently exceeding the 1.5°C threshold. However, they believe decisive action can still change the trajectory of future climate impacts, underscoring the need for swift global efforts to transition away from fossil fuels and reduce emissions.