Earth Records Hottest Year, Exceeds Climate Threshold

Ricky Leath, an outreach specialist with the City of Miami, walks through a homeless encampment as he works with the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust to distribute bottles of water and other su

In 2024, Earth experienced its hottest year on record, surpassing previous temperatures and breaching a significant climate threshold, as reported by various weather monitoring agencies. The global average temperature for the year exceeded the long-term warming limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius set by the 2015 Paris climate agreement.

According to data released by the European Commission's Copernicus Climate Service, the United Kingdom's Meteorology Office, and Japan's weather agency, Earth saw a warming of 1.6 degrees Celsius, 1.57 degrees Celsius, and 1.53 degrees Celsius, respectively. These figures indicate a substantial increase in temperatures compared to previous years.

Record temperatures were reported by various weather monitoring agencies.

The global average temperature in 2024 exceeded the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit.

Greenhouse gas accumulation from fossil fuel burning is the primary cause.

2024 marked the hottest day ever recorded globally.

Climate change led to hurricanes, floods, and wildfires in 2024.

Concerns are raised about the urgent need for action to address climate change.

2024 saw climate-related disaster losses amounting to $140 billion.

Earth is at risk of surpassing the critical 1.5-degree Celsius threshold.

2025 may not be as hot as 2024 due to the La Nina effect.

Immediate action is crucial to combat global warming and its impacts.

The primary cause of these record temperatures is attributed to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere resulting from the burning of fossil fuels. This continuous rise in temperatures has led to various consequences such as ocean warming, rising sea levels, and melting glaciers and ice sheets.

Notably, 2024 marked the hottest day ever recorded, with the global average temperature reaching 17.16 degrees Celsius. The year also witnessed several extreme weather events globally, including hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, all linked to the changing climate patterns.

The escalating global temperatures have raised concerns among scientists and experts, signaling the urgent need for immediate action to address climate change. The year 2024 saw climate-related disaster losses amounting to $140 billion, with North America being severely impacted.

Despite efforts to mitigate climate change, experts warn that Earth is on track to surpass the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold, a critical limit set by the Paris Agreement. The continuous rise in temperatures poses significant risks to ecosystems, human health, and the planet's overall stability.

Looking ahead, projections suggest that 2025 may not be as hot as 2024 due to the cooling La Nina effect. However, the overall trend indicates a continued warming of the planet, with the first days of January 2025 already showing higher temperatures compared to previous years.

Scientists emphasize the need for immediate action to address the challenges posed by climate change, as the world faces unprecedented climate conditions and unforeseen consequences. The urgency to combat global warming and its impacts remains a top priority for nations worldwide.

For more climate-related news, visit AP's climate coverage.