As the final days of 2024 unfold, it becomes increasingly clear that this year is set to become the hottest on modern record, marking a troubling milestone in the ongoing battle against climate change. Experts and scientists have been sounding the alarm throughout the year, and now the data confirms their warnings. The year 2024 will surpass the previous record set just last year, demonstrating a sharp and concerning trend in global temperature increases.
Kristina Dahl, vice president for science at Climate Central, highlighted the gravity of this development, stating, “Here we are again. It’s all but stamped and done that 2024 will be the hottest year on record. Having two back-to-back record-breaking years stands out to me as a sign that we are dangerously off track if we want to avoid the worst consequences of warming.” Her sentiments are echoed by scientists worldwide, who have observed months of unprecedented warm air and ocean temperatures that have led to this grim outcome.
Robert Rohde, chief scientist at Berkeley Earth, pointed out the inevitability of this result. “The writing has been on the wall for some time. With most of 2024 already recorded, 2024 has maintained a clear temperature lead over 2023,” he said. Even as December readings are finalized, Rohde emphasized that there is little doubt that this year will surpass all previous records. The final statistics are expected to be released on January 10, 2025, when major organizations, including NOAA, NASA, and Berkeley Earth, will present their comprehensive data.
The warming trend is evident in both air and ocean temperatures, which have remained persistently above average. For example, November 2024 saw record-warm temperatures across 10.6% of the globe’s surface, with only 0.4% experiencing record-cold conditions. Asia recorded its warmest November, further underscoring the widespread impact of rising temperatures. This year’s data aligns with the conclusion drawn by the Copernicus Climate Change Service, which stated in December that it could “confirm with virtual certainty” that 2024 would be the warmest year on record.
The reasons behind these alarming temperature increases are multifaceted. A combination of natural variability, such as the lingering effects of El Niño, and human-induced factors like greenhouse gas emissions have amplified warming. Jennifer Francis, a senior scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center, explained that marine heat waves in the North Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans, caused mainly by increased heat-trapping gases, played a significant role. Additionally, human activities have altered wind patterns, reducing cloud cover that would otherwise reflect solar energy into space. The darker surfaces exposed by melting ice and snow have further exacerbated the problem by absorbing more sunlight.
The consequences of these rising temperatures have been devastating. This year saw a slew of deadly heat waves, intensified hurricanes, and catastrophic flooding events. In Texas, for instance, Hurricane Beryl struck in June, leaving at least 11 people dead due to heat exposure in the aftermath. Among the victims was a 110-year-old woman, highlighting the vulnerability of older populations to extreme weather conditions. Brian McNoldy, a hurricane research scientist at the University of Miami, noted that while it’s difficult to attribute any single hurricane directly to climate change, there is evidence suggesting that storms are becoming stronger and intensifying more rapidly due to warming oceans.
In the United States, 2024 was particularly warm, with the first 11 months of the year setting records in the contiguous U.S. Twenty-two states experienced their warmest January-to-November period ever recorded, and the Gulf of Mexico saw its warmest November on record. Nationwide, the average temperature during this period was 3.3 degrees above the long-term average, further solidifying the year’s place in history.
As the world grapples with these alarming trends, the question arises: could 2025 continue this trajectory? While natural fluctuations in temperature might result in a slightly cooler year, the underlying trend of rising global temperatures is expected to persist. Francis cautioned that until humanity significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, the planet will continue to warm, with each broken record serving as a dire warning of the consequences of inaction. The World Meteorological Organization has also suggested that even if a La Niña pattern develops, its impact is likely to be weak and short-lived.
The implications of these findings extend far beyond statistical records. Every heat wave, hurricane, and flood highlights the urgent need for global action to combat climate change. Coral reefs are diminishing, coastal flooding is becoming more frequent, and communities worldwide are facing the growing threats posed by an increasingly unstable climate. As the data for 2024 solidifies its place in history, it serves as a stark reminder that the time to act decisively on climate change is now.
