2024 Poised to Become The Hottest Year Ever, Warn EU Scientists 

Global temperatures have shattered records in 2024, setting a new benchmark for climate change’s relentless advance, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) data. With November recording an average global temperature of 14.10°C—0.73°C above the 1991–2020 average—the year is all but certain to surpass previous highs, making 2024 the hottest year ever documented.

“This year represents an alarming escalation in global temperatures,” said Samantha Burgess, Deputy Director of C3S. November alone was 1.62°C above pre-industrial levels, exceeding the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C threshold for the 16th time in the past 17 months. While scientists caution that this milestone does not signify a permanent breach, it underscores the urgency for decisive climate action.

Earth’s climate is warming and causing the disappearance of mountain glaciers around the world.

Paris Climate Target Under Threat

At the 2015 COP21 climate summit in Paris, world leaders committed to limiting global warming to 1.5°C, or at least “well below 2°C,” above pre-industrial levels by the century’s end. Crossing these thresholds could trigger irreversible tipping points in critical Earth systems, leading to catastrophic consequences such as accelerated polar ice melt, intensified extreme weather, and widespread ecosystem collapse.

However, with 2024 effectively marking the first fiscal year above the 1.5°C target, experts are raising alarms about the narrowing window to avert disaster. Burgess emphasized that this temporary overshoot highlights the need for “ambitious climate action” to mitigate long-term risks.

Oceans Under Strain

The world’s oceans—Earth’s largest carbon sink—have absorbed over 90% of the excess heat generated by human activities and around 25% of carbon dioxide emissions. This has led to unprecedented warming, intensifying marine heatwaves, and triggering a cascade of harmful effects on marine ecosystems.

A 2019 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report warned that ocean warming could exacerbate coral bleaching, acidification, and sea level rise while disrupting ocean currents and depleting oxygen levels. These impacts threaten marine biodiversity, human livelihoods, and food security.

Currently, the planet is witnessing the largest mass coral bleaching event ever recorded, affecting reefs in dozens of countries. Coral bleaching, a heat stress response, occurs when rising ocean temperatures drive away algae that sustain and color coral reefs. However, not immediately fatal, prolonged or frequent bleaching events make corals more susceptible to disease and reduce their ability to recover or reproduce.

“As oceans continue to warm, coral bleaching is becoming more frequent and severe,” said Derek Manzello, Coordinator of NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch. “If these events persist, they could result in widespread coral mortality, jeopardizing the ecosystems and livelihoods that depend on them.”

Extreme Weather on the Rise

The consequences of ocean warming extend far beyond marine ecosystems. Warmer oceans fuel extreme weather events, intensifying hurricanes, typhoons, and floods.

A recent study by Climate Central revealed that elevated ocean temperatures amplified the strength of all 11 hurricanes in the Atlantic between June and November this year. Similarly, typhoons in the northwestern Pacific were attributed to warmer seas.

Deadly floods in central Europe and Spain were exacerbated by excessive heat in the Mediterranean, Black Seas, and the tropical Atlantic Ocean. These events highlight the interconnectedness of oceanic and atmospheric systems and the far-reaching impacts of climate change.

Unprecedented Challenges Ahead

The growing intensity of climate events in 2024 underscores the pressing need for global action. While achieving the Paris Agreement’s goals remains technically feasible, experts stress that the window for meaningful intervention is rapidly closing.

To avoid permanent breaches of critical thresholds, nations must scale up renewable energy adoption, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and implement policies that prioritize climate resilience.

Burgess called for a united global effort, stating, “The science is clear: we are running out of time. Immediate and ambitious action is essential to safeguard the planet’s future.”

As the world reckons with the realities of 2024, it serves as a wake-up call for humanity. The choices made today will shape the trajectory of the planet for generations to come.

References:

2024 ‘Effectively Certain’ to Be Hottest on Record After Second-Warmest November Globally, European Scientists Say

https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement

https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Space_for_our_climate/Understanding_climate_tipping_points

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coral_bleach.html

https://climate.copernicus.eu/copernicus-second-warmest-november-globally-confirms-expectation-2024-warmest-year

Photo by Luis Valiente https://pixabay.com/photos/nature-winter-season-chile-1463830/

Banner Image: Photo by JodyDellDavis

https://pixabay.com/photos/climate-change-drought-climate-dry-2241061