Throughout 2024, WMO research has shown that climate change is rapidly changing and has significant impacts on all aspects of sustainable development. World experiences 10 hottest years on record: 2024 breaks another temperature record Climate and environment
2024 has become the hottest year on record, with record temperatures in each of the last 10 years, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announced.
Greenhouse gas levels continue to rise, leading to further warming, the WMO warns.
Record temperatures
“Today, I can officially report that we have just survived a decade of deadly heatwaves. The last ten years, including 2024, have been the ten hottest years on record,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in his New Year’s message.
“This is a climate emergency, and it is unfolding in real time. We must turn away from this path of doom, and we have no time to lose. In 2025, countries must put the world on a safer path by drastically reducing emissions and supporting the transition to a renewable energy future,” he added.
Extreme weather events
WMO will release its final global temperature data for 2024 in January, with a full report on the state of the world climate due in March 2025.
“Every fraction of a degree of warming matters and makes extreme climate events, their impacts and risks worse. Temperatures are only part of the picture. Climate change manifests itself every day in the form of more frequent extreme weather events,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.
“If we want a safer planet, we must act now. It is our shared, global responsibility,” she added.
According to the WMO chief, 2024 has seen record-breaking rainfall and flooding, which have caused tragic losses in many countries. Tropical cyclones and wildfires in particular have caused enormous damage to populations. Extreme heatwaves were seen in dozens of countries, with temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius in some places.
WMO efforts
Throughout 2024, WMO research has shown that climate change is rapidly changing and has significant impacts on all aspects of sustainable development.
In addition, a new report from World Weather Attribution and Climate Central found that climate change has contributed to an additional 41 days of dangerous heat in the past year, causing further damage to human health and ecosystems. The report highlights the need for enhanced international cooperation to combat the risks associated with extreme heat.
A group of experts representing 15 international organizations, 12 governments, and a range of leading academic and non-governmental organizations has been convened to address the growing threat. It comes in response to the UN Secretary-General’s call for action on extreme heat. The group met at WMO headquarters from 17 to 19 December.
Ahead of its 75th anniversary in 2025, WMO will continue to coordinate global efforts to monitor the state of the climate and support international initiatives to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
In 2025, special attention will be paid to the cryosphere – the frozen parts of the Earth, including sea ice, ice sheets and permafrost. Recall that the coming year has been declared the International Year of Glacier Conservation under the auspices of UNESCO and WMO.