Earth has recorded its hottest year in history in 2024, marking a significant increase that briefly crossed a critical climate threshold, according to reports released by various weather monitoring agencies on Friday.
Last year’s global average temperature notably surpassed the prior record set in 2023 and continued to rise, exceeding the long-established warming limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) compared to late 19th century levels as per the assessments from the European Commission’s Copernicus Climate Service, the UK’s Meteorology Office, and Japan’s meteorological organization.
The European team reported a temperature increase of 1.6 degrees Celsius (2.89 degrees Fahrenheit). In contrast, Japan measured 1.57 degrees Celsius (2.83 degrees Fahrenheit), while British data indicated an increase of 1.53 degrees Celsius (2.75 degrees Fahrenheit). The U.S. monitoring teams—including NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Berkeley Earth—were expected to publish their findings later on Friday, which are anticipated to reflect similar record-breaking temperatures.
Experts explained that the main driver behind these unprecedented temperatures is the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere from the combustion of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. Samantha Burgess, a strategic climate lead at Copernicus, emphasized that as greenhouse gas levels continue to rise, global temperatures—including those of oceans—will keep increasing, leading to rising sea levels and melting glaciers and ice sheets.
Last year’s average temperature surpassed that of 2023 by an eighth of a degree Celsius (over a fifth of a degree Fahrenheit), which is an unusually large leap, as records have typically been broken by marginal increments. Scientists note that the past decade comprises the ten hottest years recorded, and this period may be the warmest in approximately 125,000 years.
According to Copernicus, July 10 was documented as the hottest day in human history, with a global temperature averaging 17.16 degrees Celsius (62.89 degrees Fahrenheit). The enormous rise in temperature is largely attributed to fossil fuel use, coupled with a temporary El Niño effect in the central Pacific and a 2022 underwater volcanic eruption that briefly cooled the atmosphere by adding reflective particles and water vapor.
Several experts have raised alarms about the implications of these climate changes. Marshall Shepherd, a meteorology professor at the University of Georgia, described the situation as a critical warning signal necessitating immediate attention. He pointed to events such as Hurricane Helene and flooding in Spain as outcomes of this concerning shift in climate dynamics. Jennifer Francis from the Woodwell Climate Research Center added that persistent climate-related warnings may be desensitizing the public, suggesting that while the alertness may be diminishing, the urgency of the situation continues to intensify.
The implications of these climate changes have already resulted in significant financial losses from climate-related disasters, reaching $140 billion last year, marking it as the third-highest on record, with North America suffering particularly detrimental impacts.
Scientifically, it is emphasized that surpassing the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold is a cause for alarm regarding the remaining limits set by the Paris Agreement. Current long-term warming since the pre-industrial era rests at approximately 1.3 degrees Celsius (2.3 degrees Fahrenheit). Climate scientist Victor Gensini noted that breaching this threshold—even temporarily—signals the urgency to recalibrate global climate policies. A major 2018 UN study highlighted that maintaining temperature increases below this level could protect ecosystems like coral reefs and avert widespread human suffering.
Looking ahead, predictions suggest that while 2025 may not be as hot as 2024—primarily due to a cooling La Niña phase anticipated to follow—initial data from January indicates that it has started with record warmth, contrasting with typical mid-winter temperatures observed in the eastern U.S.
Scientists express differing opinions regarding whether global warming is accelerating. However, there seems to be consensus that ocean heat content is rising more sharply than previously recorded. Carlo Buontempo, director of Copernicus, stated that we are encountering a novel climate with challenges that society may not be equipped to address. Michael Mann from the University of Pennsylvania likened the situation to a disconcerting science fiction narrative, pointing out that humanity is beginning to face the consequences of its past actions regarding climate change.
