The past decade has been reported as the hottest on record, with 2024 emerging as the warmest year to date.

Therefore, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has called for immediate, robust action against climate change.

It states that 2024 is the first year in which the global average temperature exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

In a world where climate change has become an undeniable reality, the WMO has confirmed that 2024 stands as the warmest year on record.

This decade has been marked by unprecedented heat, with all ten years ranking among the hottest ever recorded.

According to the WMO's analysis, which used data from six international sources, 2024 is likely the first year to exceed the critical temperature threshold of 1.5°C above the average from 1850 to 1900.

In a statement, UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating that while one year exceeding this limit does not mean long-term goals are unattainable, it underscores the need for stronger climate action.

The data reveals not only record-high surface temperatures but also significant warming of oceans, which are now at their warmest levels ever recorded.

Approximately 90% of excess heat from global warming is absorbed by oceans, making ocean heat content a vital indicator of climate change.

Despite these concerning trends, WMO officials emphasize that short-term fluctuations should not distract from the long-term climate goals outlined in the Paris Agreement.

There is an urgent call for renewed national climate action plans to protect vulnerable populations facing severe climate impacts.

The WMO stresses that immediate and robust climate action is essential to guide global temperatures back on track and prevent the worst effects of climate change.

-

Category

Author
Celma Ndhikwa