Record-Breaking Heat 2024 on Track to Be Warmest Year

The UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued a “red alert” on climate change, warning that 2024 is set to be the hottest year on record. From January to September, global temperatures averaged 1.54°C above pre-industrial levels, driven by the warming effects of an El Niño event in the Pacific, according to data from six global sources.

Key Highlights from the WMO’s State of the Climate Report

Temperature Records Shattered

• 2024’s average global temperature from January to September was 1.54°C above pre-industrial levels, setting it on track to surpass 2023’s record heat.
• Six global datasets confirm that 2024 has been significantly influenced by the El Niño phenomenon, amplifying the effects of climate change.

Breaching the 1.5°C Threshold

• The 1.5°C increase above pre-industrial levels is a temporary breach; however, the WMO emphasizes it doesn’t mean a failure to meet the long-term Paris Agreement goal.
• UN and WMO leaders stress that surpassing 1.5°C even temporarily intensifies climate extremes and increases the risks of severe impacts.

The Hottest Decade on Record

• The last ten years have been the warmest ever recorded, underscoring a trend that is projected to continue without decisive climate action.

Worsening Climate Extremes

The WMO reports a rise in extreme weather events, including,

• Record-breaking rainfall and flooding
• Intensifying tropical cyclones
• Deadly heat waves
• Relentless droughts
• Raging wildfires worldwide

Ocean Heat and Sea-Level Rise

• Ocean heat reached record levels in 2023, continuing into 2024 with unprecedented warming. This warming is predicted to be irreversible for centuries.
• Sea levels are rising faster, increasing by 4.77 mm per year from 2014-2023—double the rate seen from 1993 to 2002.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions at Record Levels

• Greenhouse gas concentrations, particularly carbon dioxide, reached an all-time high in 2023, climbing to 420 parts per million from pre-industrial levels of around 278 ppm—a 51% increase.

Glacier Loss Intensifies

• Glacier melt reached an all-time high in 2023, with record losses in North America and Europe due to extreme heat.

Implications and Urgency

Financial Aid for Climate Action

• COP29 conference attendees are pressed to secure funding for developing countries to address climate impacts and strengthen adaptation measures.

Urgent Call for Emission Reduction

• The WMO underscores the need for immediate reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the worsening impacts of climate change.

Statements from Climate Leaders

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

• Warned that the climate crisis threatens health, widens inequality, and disrupts sustainable development.

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo

• Stressed that each degree of warming adds to the frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters, making the reduction of emissions and climate monitoring an urgent global priority.

Summary Statistics

• 16 Consecutive Months of Record Temperatures
• Global temperatures from June 2023 to September 2024 consistently broke previous records.
• Irreversible Ocean Warming
• Projected to continue for centuries, affecting ecosystems and weather patterns globally.

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

Specialized UN Agency

• WMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN), serving as the UN’s authoritative body on meteorology, climate, hydrology, and geophysical sciences.

Mission and Role

• Acts as the UN system’s leading voice on the Earth’s atmospheric conditions, ocean interactions, climate, and water resources distribution.

Background

• Originated from the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), founded in 1873.
• Established in 1950, WMO became the UN’s specialized agency for meteorology, operational hydrology, and related sciences.

Headquarters

• Located in Geneva, Switzerland.

Membership

• Comprises 191 member countries, fostering international cooperation on climate and weather issues.

Governance Structure

World Meteorological Congress

• The supreme decision-making body with representatives from all member states, meeting at least every four years to establish policy and regulations.

Executive Council

• A 36-member council that meets annually to implement policies set by the Congress.

Secretariat

• Led by a Secretary-General appointed by the Congress for a four-year term, overseeing administrative functions.