2024 likely to be hottest year on record, climate scientists say
2024 is on track to become the hottest year on record, with global temperatures set to surpass 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time, according to the European Copernicus Climate Change Service. This marks a critical milestone, as the Paris Agreement aims to limit long-term temperature rise to 1.5°C to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
The extreme heat, fueled by human-driven climate change and exacerbated by the El Niño weather pattern, has led to unprecedented heatwaves and intense storms worldwide. While El Niño’s effects are subsiding, global temperatures have remained unusually high. Scientists warn that continued emissions of greenhouse gases will likely lead to further temperature records in the coming years.
With only a minor drop in the final months of 2024 preventing a new record, experts stress that this year’s temperature anomaly serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for climate action. The upcoming COP29 conference in Azerbaijan will provide a crucial platform for world leaders to address the growing crisis and commit to stronger climate policies.
