2024: The Hottest Year on Record, Climate Change Blamed for Extreme Heat
A new report from researchers has revealed that people globally experienced an average of 41 additional days of extreme heat in 2024, which can be attributed to human-induced climate change. This analysis was conducted by specialists from World Weather Attribution and Climate Central, and it coincided with a year that saw multiple climate records being broken, potentially making 2024 the hottest year in modern history. The Earth experienced nearly 13 months of intense heat, raising significant concerns among climate scientists and policymakers.
To assess the impact of these increased temperatures, a group of international volunteer scientists compared the daily temperature records of 2024 to those expected in a hypothetical scenario unaffected by climate change. While the results await peer review, the study’s approach is based on established scientific methodologies. In some regions, people experienced 150 days or more of extreme heat events directly associated with climate change.
This year’s extreme weather events served as a crucial warning, indicating that the planet is dangerously close to exceeding the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Researchers examined 29 major extreme weather incidents, resulting in over 3,700 deaths and displacing millions. Of these incidents, 26 had clear links to climate change, emphasizing the urgent need for action.
The El Niño weather pattern in 2024, known for its natural warming effect on the Pacific Ocean and its potential to disrupt global weather patterns, was also noted. Early in the year, this phenomenon increased the likelihood of certain extreme weather events. However, researchers concluded that climate change had a more significant impact on these events than the El Niño effect itself. The combination of warmer ocean temperatures and higher air temperatures led to more severe and erratic storms, as well as unprecedented rainfall levels in various regions.
A report from the United Nations Environment Programme highlights the consequences of inaction, predicting an increase in climate extremes in the coming years. This is particularly concerning since 2024 saw a rise in carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel burning compared to the previous year, underscoring the urgent need for immediate action and fundamental changes to address the worsening climate crisis.
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