The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) noted on Monday that the effects of climate change have been felt across the world this year and 2024 is expected to be the hottest year on record.
In his New Year’s message, António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, recalled that the ten hottest years in history were recorded between 2014 and 2024, a reality that he describes as “climate collapse in real time”.
Extreme weather events in 2024 have had impacts, causing record flooding, loss of life and economic disruption. According to Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of WMO, these events show that “if we want a safer planet, we must act now. It is a common responsibility, a global responsibility”.
A joint report from World Weather Attribution and Climate Central found that climate change has intensified 26 of 29 weather phenomena studied this year. These events caused the deaths of at least 3,700 people and displaced millions more. Among the notable figures, the report When Risks Become Reality: Extreme Weather In 2024 indicates that climate change has added 41 days of dangerous heat to the year, directly threatening human health and ecosystems.
António Guterres reiterated the urgency of a change of course. “We must leave this path of ruin and we have no time to lose. In 2025, countries must put the world on a safer path by significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the transition to a future based on renewable energy“.
The WMO said it would release consolidated global temperature figures for 2024 in January 2025 and a full report on the state of the climate in March.
