Surpassing the 1.5°C global temperature limit set by the Paris Agreement significantly increases the risk of crossing irreversible tipping points, such as ice sheet collapses, widespread coral reef die-offs, and disruptions to the Gulf Stream.
The year 2024 has gone down in history as the hottest year ever recorded, with the global average temperature reaching 15.10°C, surpassing the previous record set in 2023 by 0.12°C.
This alarming figure marked a 0.72°C increase above the 1991-2020 average and a staggering 1.60°C rise compared to pre-industrial levels.
From January to June, every month broke temperature records for its respective time of year. On July 22, 2024, the global daily average temperature reached an unprecedented 17.16°C, making it the hottest day in recorded history.
Even as the year progressed, months continued to register second-place rankings for warmth, further highlighting the relentless pace of global warming.
The impacts of these soaring temperatures reverberated across the globe. More than 61 percent of land areas experienced extreme heat stress, posing severe risks to human health, agriculture, and ecosystems.
Oceans absorbed much of the excess heat, with sea surface temperatures reaching unprecedented highs. The warming extended beyond regions affected by El Niño, signaling systemic shifts in oceanic and atmospheric dynamics.
Increased water vapor in the atmosphere amplified the intensity of storms, floods, and other extreme weather events, resulting in devastating wildfires, catastrophic floods, prolonged droughts, and regions becoming increasingly uninhabitable.
The past decade has been the hottest on record, with 2024’s seasonal temperatures–winter, spring, and summer–all breaking records. These trends underline the global and year-round nature of warming, underscoring the accelerating pace of climate change.
Scientists attribute this crisis primarily to human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.
Surpassing the 1.5°C global temperature limit set by the Paris Agreement significantly increases the risk of crossing irreversible tipping points, such as ice sheet collapses, widespread coral reef die-offs, and disruptions to the Gulf Stream.
The sobering data from 2024 is not just a warning but a clear call for immediate and systemic action. Rapidly phasing out coal, oil, and gas in favour of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power is essential to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Governments must enhance their Paris Agreement commitments, aiming for net-zero emissions by mid-century through decarbonizing energy systems, transforming transportation, and protecting natural carbon sinks.
Technologies like carbon capture and storage, alongside reforestation and other nature-based solutions, are critical to removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Collaboration on a global scale is crucial, as the climate crisis transcends borders. Wealthier nations must provide financial and technical support to developing countries to ensure a just and equitable transition to sustainability.
At the same time, individuals and communities have a vital role to play by adopting sustainable practices, holding leaders accountable, and participating in grassroots climate movements.
While 2024’s breach of critical climate thresholds is alarming, it is not irreversible. Every fraction of a degree matters, and the decisions made today will shape the planet for future generations. The time to act is now.
