The most recent State of the Global Climate report highlights 2024 as the warmest year in history, with the planet’s mean temperature exceeding pre-industrial levels by 1.55°C for the first time. This surpasses the critical 1.5°C thresholdfor the first time.

Although a single year above 1.5°C doesn’t technically break the Paris Agreement’s long-term targets of averting this level of warming on average, it serves as a stark reminder of the necessity for decreased emissions.

Multiple climatic indicators have also set new records, with carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere at their highest in 800,000 years and oceans warming at unprecedented rates.

Dramatic glacier and sea ice melting are contributing to a surge in global sea levels, threatening coastal ecosystems and infrastructures worldwide.

In addition, the highest number of displacements in 16 years was recorded due to tropical cyclones, floods, droughts, and other disasters, exacerbating food crises and leading to substantial economic losses.

Investing in renewables and early warning systems

Despite these ominous trends, UN Secretary-General António Guterres asserted that the targets set forth by the Paris Agreement remain achievable and urged global leaders to increase their efforts in response to the escalating crisis.

“Our planet is sending more distress signals – but this report shows that restricting long-term global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius is still feasible. Leaders must step up their efforts to make this happen by leveraging the advantages of affordable, clean renewables for their people and economies through updated national climate action plans due this year’’, he emphasized.

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo referred to the report’s findings as a “wake-up call” to the growing level of deadly risk for human life, economies, and the planet.

“WMO and the international community are amplifying efforts to bolster early warning systems and climate intelligence to help decision-makers and the public become more resilient to extreme weather and climate events. We are making strides, but we must accelerate and expand our efforts”, she stated.

Irreversible changes

The record-breaking global temperatures in 2023 and 2024 were largely influenced by an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, amplified by the transition from La Niña to El Niño, as indicated in the report.

Solar cycle variation, volcanic activity, and shifts in ocean circulation might have contributed to this as well.

Scientists emphasize the urgency of taking action, noting some irreversible changes, such as the rate of sea level increase, which has doubled since satellite measurements commenced.

Forecasts suggest that ocean warming, which achieved an all-time high, will persist throughout the 21st century and beyond, even if there is a significant reduction in emissions. Similarly, ocean acidification will continue to rise this century at rates dependent on future emissions.

Other key findings

• Every one of the last ten years ranks among the warmest in history.
• Each of the past eight years has recorded a new high for ocean heat content.
• All eighteen of the lowest Arctic sea-ice extents have occurred in the past eighteen years.
• The three lowest Antarctic ice extents were recorded in the past three years.
• The most significant three-year reduction in glacier mass has taken place in the previous three years.
• Ocean heat content hit its highest point in the 65-year observational record in 2024.
• Tropical cyclones were responsible for many of the most impactful events in 2024, including Typhoon Yagi in Viet Nam, the Philippines, and southern China.