A new report from the World Weather Organization provides a harsh warning. Climate change is accelerating and has had irreversible effects for centuries. Global climate report conditions confirm that global temperatures, greenhouse gas emissions and sea levels all reached record highs in 2024.
Compiled with data from 101 countries and various scientific organizations, the report comprehensively examines the state of the planet. Below are five important points from the WMO survey results.
2024 was the hottest year on record
In 2024, we set a new global temperature record, with on average exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius, exceeding pre-industrial levels. Over the years, climate scientists have warned that over 1.5 degrees Celsius will have increasingly dire consequences around the world, and it is important to try to keep below that threshold, a key goal of the Paris Climate Agreement.
“A year above 1.5°C of global warming has not shown that the long-term temperature targets of the Paris Agreement are out of reach, but increasing the risks of our lives, our economy and our planet is a call for awakening.”
Last year’s record was just the latest in the yearly record-breaking heat that was ranked among the 10 people ever recorded since 2015.
According to John Kennedy, science coordinator and report’s lead author, the main driver of this heat is the continuous rise in greenhouse gas emissions, with El Niño playing a smaller role in the spikes. “Maybe it’s two-tenths of a minute, due to El Niño and other factors,” Kennedy said.
Greenhouse gas emissions continued to rise
Greenhouse gas emissions continued to be on an upward trend, the report said.
Carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide all reached record levels in 2023 – the latest year’s global data was available – exceeding pre-industrial concentrations by substantial margins. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, promoting global warming and its cascade effects.
The ocean absorbs record heat, leading to rising sea levels
Over 90% of the excess heat trapped in greenhouse gases was absorbed into the ocean, and in 2024, marine heat content reached a new high in 65 observational records. The report points out that 2024 marked the eighth consecutive year of record marine warming.
This warming has contributed to widespread coral bleaching, disruption in marine ecosystems and accelerated sea level rise.
According to the WMO report, “The ocean will continue to warm up in the near future, an irreversible change on a time scale from the 100th anniversary to the millennium.”
The long-term increase rate has more than doubled. From 2.1 mm per year from 1993 to 2002 to 4.7 mm per year from 2015 to 2024. For coastal communities, even a small increase can lead to more frequent and severe flooding.
Glaciers and ice sheets are melting rapidly
The glacier and ice sheets are shrinking at an astonishing rate. Between 2021 and 2024, the glacier experienced the most severe three-year mass loss on record, the report says.
Arctic Ocean ice reached a daily lowest range of 4.28 million square kilometers on September 11, 2024, marking the seventh lowest in 46-year satellite records. This was 1.17 million km² than the average from 1991 to 2020. That is, they lost ice area roughly equivalent to the size of South Africa.
Antarctic sea ice has historically been at a low level, falling below 2 million km² for the third year in a row. These losses contribute to rising sea levels, destroying water supply for millions of people, and threatening ecosystems that rely on stable ice conditions.
Extreme weather has driven away millions and costs billions of dollars
From deadly hurricanes and historic floods to catastrophic wildfires and droughts, 2024 was characterized by extreme weather events. In the US, Hurricanes Helen and Milton have killed more than 250 people and caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage.
Extreme weather events related to climate change have also displaced millions of people around the world. In 2024, climate-driven disasters caused the most new displacements in 16 years, exacerbating food shortages and economic instability around the world.
In Brazil, catastrophic floods overwhelmed parts of the Porto Aregul, ousting around 420,000 people, causing widespread economic losses. In West and Central Africa, widespread flooding affected several countries, causing Chad and Nigeria to be hit hardest. More than one million people have been evacuated and over 639,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed.
“We are working with all scientists around the world to alleviate the problems of people, developing countries and small islands developing countries around the world, so we hope this continues despite the differences in politics and internal change.”
He suggested that the report should encourage greater action to protect our planet.
“The report highlights that despite the rapid pace of change, there are still viable pathways for mitigation and adaptation. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains essential, and the rapid expansion of renewable energy plays a key role.”
