The challenges of Earth’s climate in 2024 have been significant, with record temperatures, extreme weather events, and urgent warnings from scientists about the escalating pace of global warming.
An analysis by the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) indicates that this year will break temperature records, surpassing previous years.
2024 will mark the first time the global average temperature exceeds 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels, surpassing the Paris Agreement target. Despite this, urgent climate action is required to address the situation.
Earth surpasses 1.5 C warming every month for entire year
The year began with a record 13-month heat streak that ended in July, coinciding with an unusually warm summer that saw all-time heat records broken across the U.S.
Additionally, the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season was above average with 18 named storms, including Hurricane Helene which struck Florida, the deadliest storm in the continental U.S. since Katrina in 2005.
Canada also faced an increase in lightning-caused fires, with the second-worst wildfire season following the previous year’s devastating wildfires.
In Canada, wildfires ignited in previous years continued to burn into 2024, with some expected to last until 2025, causing significant damage.
Severe drought reduces Amazon Basin rivers to record low
The Amazon basin experienced its worst drought ever, resulting in major rivers reaching critically low levels, isolating communities accessible only by boats and leading to a rise in illnesses due to contaminated water.
The drought, combined with deforestation for agriculture, contributed to devastating wildfires in South America, particularly in the Pantanal and countries like Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Argentina.
“The forest used to be able to resist those fires,” said Rachel Biderman of Conservation International. “Now, because of climate change and forest degradation, the fires are more severe.”
A warming Arctic tundra now releases more carbon than it absorbs
NOAA scientists have observed a warming trend in the Arctic tundra region, leading to the second warmest surface air temperatures since 1900. Previously a carbon sink, the tundra is now emitting greenhouse gases as thawing releases trapped carbon and methane into the atmosphere.
This shift is also influenced by increased wildfire activity, with sea ice extent in September marking the sixth lowest in 45 years of satellite records.
“The consequences of inadequate reduction of fossil fuel pollution are evident in the Arctic tundra,” said Rick Spinrad, NOAA Administrator, emphasizing the need for urgent action.
Michael Mann, a climate expert, highlighted the political obstacles to addressing climate change, despite the physical and technological capacity to do so.
The recent United Nations climate summit highlighted the challenges in climate action, setting the stage for further discussions at the upcoming summit in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest.