2024 Set to Be Hottest Year on Record, Warns WMO
The World Meteorological Organisation reported that 2024 is expected to be the warmest year on record, driven by human activities. Rising greenhouse gas levels have intensified climate-related hazards, resulting in devastating weather events globally. Key initiatives are in place to address these challenges, including the Global Greenhouse Gas Watch and the Early Warnings for All initiative, while significant attention will be directed towards the cryosphere in 2025.
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) announced that 2024 is projected to be the warmest year on record, marking a decade characterized by extraordinary heat driven by human activities. A report released by the WMO shows that greenhouse gas concentrations have reached unprecedented levels, intensifying the implications of climate change. The WMO will publish the definitive global temperature for 2024 in January, with a comprehensive State of the Global Climate report due in March 2025. According to WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo, every fraction of temperature increase affects climate extremes and heightens associated risks, as manifestations of climate change proliferate through increasingly severe weather events.
This year has been particularly devastating, exhibiting record rainfall and flooding that have resulted in significant human and economic losses across various regions. Saulo highlighted the catastrophic impacts of tropical cyclones, with one notable instance being the extensive damage in Mayotte, as well as extreme heat waves reaching over 50 °C and destructive wildfires in numerous countries. These alarming trends highlight the critical necessity for initiatives such as “Early Warnings for All” aimed at enhancing climate adaptability. Moreover, in an effort towards mitigation, the WMO is implementing the Global Greenhouse Gas Watch initiative.
Looking ahead to 2025, the WMO plans to place a substantial focus on the cryosphere, in recognition of it being the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation as endorsed by UNESCO and WMO. A recent report corroborated that climate change exacerbated 26 out of 29 weather-related incidents investigated, leading to a tragic toll of over 3,700 deaths and the displacement of millions. It further indicated that climate change contributed to an additional 41 days of dangerous heat in 2024.
To effectively combat the rising risks of extreme heat, a coalition of experts from 15 international organizations, 12 countries, and various NGOs recently assembled at WMO headquarters. This meeting was convened to strategize a unified response to the UN Secretary-General’s initiative on extreme heat, emphasizing the imperative for enhanced global collaboration to address these pressing climate challenges.
The report from the World Meteorological Organisation emphasizes the alarming trend of rising global temperatures, attributed primarily to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. The year 2024 is poised to surpass previous temperature records, underscoring a persistent pattern of climate extremes linked to climate change. As evidenced by recent catastrophic weather events, the urgency for effective climate action and adaptation strategies has never been more pronounced, making organizations like the WMO crucial in the ongoing efforts to mitigate and understand climate change impacts.
In conclusion, the World Meteorological Organisation has declared 2024 the hottest year on record, highlighting the critical role of greenhouse gas emissions in this unprecedented rise in temperatures. The year has not only witnessed extreme weather events but has also reinforced the urgent need for global cooperation in climate change mitigation and adaptation. As we approach 2025, efforts will intensify to address the consequences of climate change, particularly in the cryosphere, to promote sustainable practices and strategies.
Original Source: www.wam.ae
