2024 has been recorded as the warmest year in history, according to the annual report on the State of the Climate by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere reached their highest point in 800,000 years.
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, urged global leaders to act. He pointed out that the goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C from pre-industrial levels is still possible, even though the planet temporarily exceeded that threshold for the first time in 2024.
The El Niño phenomenon, combined with the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas, exacerbated last year’s record temperatures.
Impacts on global life and economy
Global warming has contributed to more frequent and severe extreme weather events:
- In 2024, 151 unprecedented extreme weather events were recorded, including heatwaves, heavy rainfall, floods, hurricanes, and droughts.
- These events caused massive economic losses, worsened food crises, and displaced the largest number of people in 16 years.
Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the WMO, emphasized that this report is a wake-up call to recognize the growing risks to our lives and economies.
Setback in climate commitments
The report comes at a time when the United States, the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, has backtracked on its climate commitments under the administration of Donald Trump to reduce CO2 levels. This has raised concerns about the possibility of other nations adopting less ambitious climate goals.
Toward urgent global action
The WMO report highlights the importance of harnessing renewable energies to limit global warming and avoid catastrophic consequences.
With the goal of the Paris Agreement still within reach, but increasingly difficult to achieve, this report underscores the need for immediate global commitment to address the climate crisis.
Cover photo: Unsplash
*With information from AP
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