World Experienced 152 Unprecedented Climate Events in 2024: WMO Report

According to the latest State of the Global Climate 2024 report from the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the world experienced 152 unprecedented and 297 unusual extreme events related to climate change last year. 

Topping the list of extreme events were heat waves, with 137 events, followed by extreme rain and wet spells (115 events), flooding (104 events), tropical cyclones (47) and drought (44). 

In total, these events were linked to 1.1 million people injured, 1,700 deaths and 824,500 people displaced. As The Guardian reported, the number of people displaced by extreme climate events in 2024 was the highest annual number since 2008, when the records began. These events also lead to worsening food insecurity and major economic losses as well as environmental devastation.

In addition, the report revealed that the Earth is now experiencing alarming climate extremes that may be irreversible for hundreds or thousands of years, with the rate of sea level rise doubling between when satellite records began to 2024.

According to the study, 18 of the lowest amounts of Arctic sea ice happened in the past 18 years, while in the Antarctic, the three lowest levels of sea ice extent happened in the past three years. Global glacier mass reached a record-high three-year loss in the past three years as well. Further, ocean heat reached a new record each year for the past eight years.

The amount of sea level rise and ocean warming could be irreversible for at least hundreds of years, WMO reported.

WMO also confirmed earlier expectations of 2024 being the warmest year in a 175-year-old record, noting that the global mean near-surface temperature was about 1.55 degrees Celsius higher than pre-industrial times.

“While a single year above 1.5°C of warming does not indicate that the long-term temperature goals of the Paris Agreement are out of reach, it is a wake-up call that we are increasing the risks to our lives, economies and to the planet,” WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said in a press release.

Although there has been a short-term breach of the 1.5 degree Celsius target outlined in the Paris Agreement, WMO reported that long-term warming is still below 1.5 degrees compared to pre-industrial times. However, the Earth is nearing that limit, especially with carbon dioxide emissions reaching their highest level in 800,000 years and the 10 warmest years ever recorded happening in the last decade. According to WMO estimates, long-term warming is around 1.34 to 1.41 degrees Celsius compared to 1850-1900.

“Our planet is issuing more distress signals — but this report shows that limiting long-term global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius is still possible,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement. “Leaders must step up to make it happen — seizing the benefits of cheap, clean renewables for their people and economies — with new National climate plans due this year.”

Additionally, WMO noted that investments in early warning systems will be essential in better protecting people from the worsening effects of climate change.

“We are making progress but need to go further and need to go faster,” Saulo said. “Only half of all countries worldwide have adequate early warning systems. This must change.”