The 2024 State of the Climate Update highlights record-breaking temperatures, rising seas, shrinking ice, and urgent calls for climate action.
On the first day of COP29, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) issued its State of the Climate 2024 Update, providing an urgent assessment of key climate indicators. This report delivers a clear message: the impacts of climate change are accelerating, pushing the world closer to dangerous thresholds. From record-breaking temperatures to shrinking ice caps, the state of the planet in 2024 highlights the necessity for more aggressive climate action.
Record-Breaking Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Rising Temperatures
The report underscores the continued rise in greenhouse gas concentrations, which reached new records in 2023 and have kept climbing in 2024. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels now stand at 420 parts per million (ppm), a 51% increase from preindustrial levels. Methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) concentrations also saw sharp increases, contributing significantly to global warming.
Boosted by a strong El Niño, the global mean surface air temperature from January to September 2024 was 1.54°C above preindustrial averages. This makes 2024 the hottest year on record, with 2023 and 2024 together marking the two warmest years in recorded history. The decade from 2015 to 2024 is now the warmest in the 175-year observational record.
Polar Ice and Glaciers in Steady Decline
The state of the polar ice caps and glaciers presents one of the most stark warnings. In 2024, both Arctic and Antarctic sea ice extents have been well below the long-term average. The Antarctic in particular saw alarming lows, with the sea ice extent reaching only 2 million km², the second lowest since records began.
Glacier loss also accelerated, with glaciers globally losing an estimated 1.2 meters of water equivalent of ice in 2023 alone. This marks the largest glacier mass loss since observations began. Glaciers in Europe and North America were particularly hard-hit, driven by unprecedented heatwaves and droughts.
Oceans Absorb Heat, Driving Sea-Level Rise
The oceans have absorbed over 90% of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases, setting new records for ocean heat content. In 2023, the ocean absorbed approximately 3.1 million terawatt-hours (TWh) of heat, equivalent to 18 times the world’s total energy consumption. This relentless ocean warming contributes to thermal expansion and is a key driver of sea-level rise, which is occurring at an accelerated rate of 4.77 mm per year—more than double the rate recorded in the 1990s.
Extreme Weather Events: A New Normal
The year 2024 has been marked by extreme weather events, which are increasingly becoming the new normal. From deadly heatwaves and wildfires to devastating floods and storms, communities across the globe are facing the brunt of climate change. Notably:
Flooding in East Africa displaced over 500,000 people across Somalia, Tanzania, and Kenya, with significant impacts on food security.
Wildfires in Chile and North America have set new records, displacing tens of thousands and causing widespread damage.
Hurricanes and Typhoons in the Caribbean, the United States, and Southeast Asia wreaked havoc, with Hurricane Beryl being the earliest recorded Category 5 storm in the Atlantic.
The cascading effects of these events, including food insecurity and mass displacement, are severe, further exacerbating global inequality and destabilizing vulnerable regions.
Approaching 1.5°C of Warming: What Lies Ahead?
The report also raises concerns about the 1.5°C global warming threshold, a key target of the Paris Agreement. While individual years exceeding 1.5°C of warming do not mean the target is permanently out of reach, the trends are clear. The world is edging ever closer to sustained warming beyond this critical level. The WMO emphasizes that every fraction of a degree matters, as it brings with it more frequent extreme weather, biodiversity loss, and threats to human livelihoods.
Climate Action and Early Warnings
Amid the grim statistics, there are signs of progress. The report highlights improvements in climate service capacity, with 108 countries now reporting Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS), up from previous years. These systems are vital for reducing the impacts of extreme weather events. The Early Warning for All initiative, which aims to ensure global protection from hazardous events by 2027, continues to expand, with growing international collaboration.
Conclusion: A Call to Action at COP29
The State of the Climate 2024 Update serves as a stark reminder of the urgency of climate action. The message is clear: the world is fast approaching dangerous climate thresholds, and the window for effective action is closing. With 2024 poised to be the hottest year on record and the impacts of climate change accelerating, it is critical that nations not only commit to stronger climate targets but also implement the policies needed to achieve them. The stakes could not be higher.
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