2024 will break heat records: the hottest year on Earth has arrived

2024 could be a record year for extreme heat, not only for us humans, but also for our planet. This year we’re “virtually certain” to break a new temperature record: humanity’s first year in a world 1.5°C (34.7°F) warmer than pre-industrial times.

This is stated in the report of the European climate monitor Copernicus, which was released just a few days before the decisive UN climate talks.

Imminent heat records in 2024

Copernicus stressed that the world is passing a “new milestone” in temperature records. And the bar continues to get higher.

Last month was the second hottest October on record, marked by deadly flooding in Spain and Hurricane Milton in the United States. Global temperatures were second only to the highest for the same period in 2023.

According to Copernicus, 2024 will likely be more than 1.55 degrees Celsius (about 34.7 degrees Fahrenheit) hotter than the 1850-1900 average. For context, this was before we started burning fossil fuels on an industrial scale.

This does not mean that we have violated the Paris Agreement. The treaty aims to limit global warming to below 2°C (35.6°F), preferably 1.5°C (34.7°F), measured over decades rather than individual years.

Rising global temperatures

“Now we can almost certainly say that 2024 will be warmest year on record and in the first year temperatures are more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels,” said Samantha Burgess, deputy director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S).

The complaints don’t end there. Burgess added that this significant increase in global temperatures should serve as a catalyst to spur ambitious action during the upcoming COP29 climate change conference.

Crucial UN climate talks in Azerbaijan next week will lay the groundwork for future targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

The talks coincide with the recent US presidential election victory of Donald Trump, a noted public skeptic of climate change.

Climate change and heat records

But that’s not all about the heat. Global warming has many side effects. Warmer air can hold more water vapor, causing more evaporation from warmer oceans and leading to more intense rainfall and storms.

October saw above-average rainfall in parts of Europe, as well as parts of China, the United States, Brazil and Australia, according to Copernicus.

Meanwhile, the US is also grappling with an ongoing drought affecting record numbers of people.

Sea surface temperature

The temperature of the sea surface has not been spared either. October 2024, on average across the region monitored by Copernicus, experienced the second-highest sea surface temperature on record.

With billions of measurements from satellites, ships, aircraft and weather stations, C3S provides reliable calculations.

Their records date back to 1940, but by using ice cores, tree rings and coral skeletons, scientists can delve deeper into Earth’s climate past.

Impact on biodiversity

As global temperatures rise, the impact on biodiversity is becoming clear. Ecosystems are under strain as species find it difficult to adapt to rapidly changing climates.

Many animals are moving to cooler areas, changing the structure of ecosystems and threatening biodiversity. This can disrupt food chains and habitats, increasing the risk of extinction of vulnerable species.

Changes in the timing of flowering and reproduction also create new problems. It is critical to act on conservation strategies now as these changes alter life on Earth.

Climate Change Mitigation Strategies

Cities around the world are recognizing their role in climate changeboth accomplices and victims. Urban areas, with their heat-absorbing structures, contribute to rising temperatures.

In response, cities are implementing strategies to address these challenges while promoting sustainable development. Solutions such as green roofs, trees and reflective materials help cool cities and manage rainwater.

In addition, city planners are focusing on public transportation and renewable energy to reduce emissions. These efforts aim to reduce the environmental impact of cities and increase their resilience to climate change.

Heat records signal warmest era yet

Modern climate scientists say we are now experiencing the warmest period the Earth has experienced in the last 100,000 years, since the start of the last ice age.

So, do we accept this as our new normal? Or will we heed the warning about warming and work tirelessly to reverse this course?

Remember, the temperature of the planet affects not only us, but also all forms of life that share this world with us.

As we enter an era of record heat waves and catastrophic climate events, the time for decisive action is now. And the power to bring about this change lies with us all.

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