Brussels: The year 2024 is on track to become the warmest year since records began, with temperatures expected to remain exceptionally high into early 2025, according to data from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S).
C3S confirmed on Monday that global temperatures from January to November have solidified 2024’s status as the hottest year on record, marking the first time global temperatures have exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels (1850-1900). This milestone surpasses 2023, the previous record-holder.
A Year of Extreme Weather
This year has been marked by unprecedented weather events, from severe drought in Italy and South America to deadly floods in Nepal, Sudan, and parts of Europe. Heatwaves swept across Mexico, Mali, and Saudi Arabia, claiming thousands of lives, while devastating cyclones wreaked havoc in the United States and the Philippines.
Scientific studies have attributed these events to the unmistakable impact of human-induced climate change. Last month was ranked the second-warmest November on record, trailing only November 2023.
“We’re still in near-record-high territory for global temperatures, and that’s likely to stay at least for the next few months,” said Julien Nicolas, a climate researcher with Copernicus.
The Driving Force: Carbon Emissions
The primary driver of global warming is carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion. Despite widespread commitments to achieve net-zero emissions, global CO2 levels are expected to hit a record high this year, raising questions about the efficacy of current climate pledges.
The EU’s report comes shortly after the United Nations brokered a $300-billion deal to address climate change at its annual summit. However, critics argue the package falls short of addressing the escalating costs of climate-related disasters, particularly for poorer nations.
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Looking Ahead to 2025
Scientists are closely monitoring the possibility of a La Niña weather pattern in 2025, which could temporarily cool global temperatures. However, Friederike Otto, a senior lecturer at Imperial College London, emphasized that even a La Niña event would not reverse the long-term warming trend driven by greenhouse gas emissions.
“While 2025 might be slightly cooler than 2024, if a La Niña event develops, this does not mean temperatures will be ‘safe’ or ‘normal.’ We will still experience high temperatures, resulting in dangerous heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and tropical cyclones,” Otto explained.
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Global Alarm
C3S’s temperature records, which date back to 1940 and align with global data reaching back to 1850, highlight an urgent need for action. The persistent rise in temperatures underscores the intensifying climate crisis, with governments and societies worldwide facing mounting pressure to act decisively.
