Key Highlights
- 2024: Warmest Year on Record
- Global temperatures rose 1.60°C above pre-industrial levels.
- Global average temperature: 15.10°C (0.72°C above the 1991-2020 average).
- Surpassed 2023, the previous record holder.
- Milestone in Climate Change:
- First calendar year where average global temperature exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
- The warmest day on record: 22 July 2024, with 17.16°C global average temperature.
Relevance : GS 3(Environment)
Regional Impacts
- Europe:
- Warmest year on record with an average temperature of 10.67°C.
- 1.47°C above the 1991-2020 average.
- Arctic:
- Temperatures 1.34°C above the 1991-2020 average.
- Fourth highest on record.
- Oceans:
- Sea surface temperature: Record high of 20.87°C.
- 0.51°C above the 1991-2020 average.
Climate Indicators (2024)
- Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) levels:
- Reached 422 ppm (parts per million).
- Increase of 2.9 ppm compared to 2023.
- Methane (CH₄) levels:
- Reached 1897 ppb (parts per billion).
- Increase of 3 ppb compared to 2023.
- Atmospheric Water Vapour:
- Increased by 5% above the 1991-2020 average — a record high in 2024.
Human Impact
- 44% of the globe experienced ‘strong’ to ‘extreme heat stress’, a 5% increase from previous years.
- Unprecedented heatwaves and heavy rainfall events caused widespread disruptions.
Statements from Experts
- Carlo Buontempo (Copernicus Climate Change Service):
“Humanity is in charge of its own destiny, and how we respond to the climate challenge should be evidence-based.” - Samantha Burgess (ECMWF):
“We are now teetering on the edge of passing the 1.5ºC level defined in the Paris Agreement.”
Key Takeaways
- Climate crisis is escalating rapidly with multiple records broken in 2024.
- Urgent need for swift and decisive climate action to limit global warming.
- Paris Agreement’s 1.5ºC limit is at risk of being permanently breached.
