The Earth experienced its hottest year on record in 2024, surpassing the 1.5°C global warming threshold established by the Paris Agreement, several leading weather agencies announced on Friday.
The European Commission's Copernicus Climate Service, the United Kingdom's Meteorology Office, and Japan's weather agency each confirmed a sharp rise in global temperatures last year, with readings between 1.53°C and 1.6°C above pre-industrial levels.
“This is a warning light going off on the Earth's dashboard that immediate attention is needed,” remarked Professor Marshall Shepherd, a meteorology expert from the University of Georgia.
The rise was attributed primarily to the continued accumulation of greenhouse gases from fossil fuel combustion, exacerbated by a temporary El Niño effect.
Samantha Burgess, strategic climate lead at Copernicus, explained, “The primary reason for these record temperatures is the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.”
Notably, July 10, 2024, was recorded as the hottest day in human history, with the planet averaging 17.16°C, according to Copernicus.
Jennifer Francis of the Woodwell Climate Research Center cautioned that the increasing frequency of extreme weather events such as wildfires, hurricanes, and floods underscores the pressing need for action.
“Climate-change-related alarm bells have been ringing almost constantly, which may be causing the public to become numb to the urgency,” she stated.
The year’s $140 billion in climate-related disaster losses, the third-highest on record, highlighted the economic toll, with North America suffering the most severe impacts, according to insurance firm Munich Re.
Experts warned that while the 1.5°C threshold had only been breached temporarily, it signalled how close humanity is to surpassing this critical limit. Victor Gensini, a climate scientist from Northern Illinois University, called the threshold “a red flag” and said it underscores the importance of adhering to the Paris Agreement goals.
While 2025 is projected to be slightly cooler due to a shift from El Niño to La Niña conditions, the long-term warming trend remains undeniable.
“We are facing a very new climate and new challenges — climate challenges that our society is not prepared for,” warned Carlo Buontempo, director of Copernicus.
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