Climate change impacts in 2024 have been profound, with the year projected to be the hottest on record. UN and WMO leaders stressed the necessity for urgent actions to mitigate effects, highlighting extreme weather events and rising temperatures as key challenges. WMO aims to enhance climate adaptation services and prepare for initiatives focused on climate preservation.
Climate change had significant global impacts in 2024, affecting ecosystems, economies, and communities alike. The year is projected to become the hottest on record, marking a decade of unprecedented temperature rises spurred by human actions, as indicated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The relentless increase of greenhouse gases is exacerbating heat retention globally.
In his New Year address, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized, “Today I can officially report that we have just endured a decade of deadly heat. The top ten hottest years on record have happened in the last ten years, including 2024.” He characterized the ongoing situation as a climate breakdown and urged for urgent corrective actions in 2025.
WMO plans to release the consolidated global temperature data for 2024 by January and provide a comprehensive report in March 2025. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo noted, “In my first year as WMO Secretary-General, I have issued repeated Red Alerts about the state of the climate.” For WMO’s 75th anniversary in 2025, the organization will stress the importance of collective action to achieve a safer planet.
The effects of climate change intensified numerous extreme weather events in 2024, leading to widespread devastation. Saulo reported that record-breaking rainfall and syndromes of tropical cyclones resulted in major loss of life, with high temperatures exceeding 50 °C in several regions. As a consequence, wildfires contributed to significant destruction.
This extreme weather crisis underscores the urgency for initiatives like WMO’s Early Warnings for All, which aim to enhance climate adaptation services. Meanwhile, the Global Greenhouse Gas Watch initiative, supporting international agreements such as COP, works toward climate mitigation.
Throughout the year, WMO reports showcased the increasing pace of climate change, demonstrating its adverse effects on sustainable development. The World Weather Attribution’s report indicated that climate change aggravated 26 out of 29 extreme weather events in 2024, displacing millions and resulting in over 3,700 fatalities. These happenings signal an urgent need for enhanced international cooperation to mitigate extreme heat risks, as outlined in a framework developed by a group of experts at WMO’s headquarters at the end of the year.
In 2025, the focus will shift to the cryosphere, coinciding with UNESCO and WMO’s International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation. As WMO approaches its anniversary, its commitment remains to monitor climate conditions and support both mitigation and adaptation efforts.
The article addresses the severe consequences of climate change observed globally in 2024, as reported by various authoritative bodies, including the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations. Recent trends indicate that the year is on track to be the warmest on record, following a decade characterized by heightened temperatures attributed largely to human activity. The article highlights the growing urgency for both international cooperation and innovative initiatives to combat the escalating impacts of climate change on human health and the environment.
In conclusion, the year 2024 serves as a critical juncture in climate history, evidencing a striking increase in extreme weather events linked to climate change. The revelations from the WMO and UN reinforce the imperative for immediate and collective action to mitigate emissions and adapt to the evolving climate realities. As the world progresses into 2025, it becomes increasingly vital to prioritize cooperative strategies and initiatives that aim to preserve the climate for future generations.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
