In 2024, it was the warmest year ever recorded, exacerbating natural disasters. This extreme heat reinforced cyclones, heatwaves, and other meteorological phenomena worldwide.
According to the network of scientists World Weather Attribution (WWA), almost all major natural disasters in 2024 were exacerbated by greenhouse gas emissions from human activity.
Natural disasters during 2024
Impact of heatwaves
In June, more than 1,300 Muslim pilgrims died during the Hajj in Saudi Arabia due to temperatures reaching 51.8°C. No continent escaped the extreme heat, with deaths recorded in Thailand, India, and the United States.
In Greece, a heatwave of over 40°C in June led to the closure of the Acropolis and fueled numerous fires, marking the beginning of the hottest summer ever recorded in Europe.
Devastating floods
Climate change also caused torrential rains due to increased water evaporation from warmer oceans and a hotter atmosphere that retains more moisture.
In April, the United Arab Emirates experienced the equivalent of two years of rainfall in a single day, causing floods in large areas and paralyzing Dubai’s airport.
In West and Central Africa, four million people needed humanitarian aid after historic floods that resulted in over 1,500 deaths.
Intense cyclones and hurricanes
Ocean surface warming increased the intensity of tropical cyclones. In 2024, cyclonic activity was above average, with hurricanes like Milton, Beryl, and Helene devastating the southern United States and Caribbean countries.
In the Pacific, the Philippines was hit by six major storms, and Southeast Asia experienced Supertyphoon Yagi in September. Cyclone Chido, which struck Mayotte and Mozambique in December, was intensified by climate change.
Droughts and wildfires
Climate change has caused some regions to become wetter and others drier. Drought affected several regions in the Americas, resulting in immense forest fires in the western United States, Canada, and parts of the Amazon. In Southern Africa, around 26 million people are threatened by food insecurity due to drought.
Economic impact
Extreme weather events caused thousands of deaths in 2024 and impoverished many populations. These natural disasters resulted in losses of $310 billion worldwide, according to the insurer Swiss Re.
The United States reported damages exceeding $1 billion by November 1st. In Brazil, the drought caused losses in the agricultural sector amounting to $2.7 billion, and global wine production reached a low not seen since 1961.
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