Earth Records Hottest Year in 2024, Breaching Critical Climate Threshold

In 2024, Earth experienced its hottest year on record, surpassing 2023's global average temperature by a significant margin. Data from major weather agencies, including the European Commission's Copernicus Climate Service, the UK Met Office, and Japan’s meteorological department, revealed that temperatures exceeded the 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels set by the 2015 Paris Agreement. Copernicus reported a warming of 1.6°C, while Japan and the UK noted slightly lower values. This sharp increase reflects the intensifying impacts of human-driven greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from burning fossil fuels.

July 10, 2024, became the hottest day recorded in human history, with an average global temperature of 17.16°C (62.89°F). The combination of an El Niño event and persistent fossil fuel emissions contributed to these alarming figures. Extreme weather events—such as wildfires in California, hurricanes, and flooding—were more frequent and severe, causing $140 billion in climate-related damages.

While scientists emphasize that the 1.5°C limit is a long-term average, exceeding it even briefly underscores the urgency for global climate action. Surpassing this threshold threatens ecosystems, accelerates ice sheet loss, and endangers human lives. Despite hopes for temporary cooling with the transition to a La Niña phase, experts predict continued warming trends, posing unprecedented challenges for society.

Jennifer Francis of Woodwell Climate Research Center likened the situation to relentless alarm bells, warning of escalating climate emergencies. Climate scientists stress that immediate international cooperation and robust climate policies are critical to mitigating further damage.