Image Source: World Meteorological Organization 

Climate change's devastating effects were felt worldwide in 2024, with unprecedented heat and extreme weather events that took a heavy toll on communities, economies, and ecosystems. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), this year is set to be the warmest on record, marking the culmination of a decade of soaring temperatures primarily driven by human activities. The continued rise of greenhouse gas emissions has set the stage for even higher future temperatures, increasing the frequency and severity of climate-related disasters.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the gravity of the situation in his New Year message, calling 2024 "a decade of deadly heat," with the top ten hottest years all occurring in the past ten years. He warned that the world is experiencing a “climate breakdown” in real time, stressing the urgent need for a radical shift away from fossil fuels and a commitment to renewable energy. “We have no time to lose,” Guterres said, urging nations to slash emissions and set the world on a safer path in 2025.

Widespread Impacts: Floods, Wildfires, and Extreme Heat

The year 2024 saw record-breaking rainfall and flooding events, resulting in heartbreaking loss of life and widespread devastation across every continent. Tropical cyclones caused significant human and economic tolls, with the French overseas department of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean being among the hardest hit. Intense heatwaves, with temperatures surpassing 50°C in several countries, contributed to catastrophic wildfires, compounding the damage.

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo described the events as a clear indication of the deepening climate crisis. “Every fraction of a degree of warming matters,” Saulo said, highlighting the increasingly frequent and intense extreme weather events that are becoming the new normal. “Climate change plays out before our eyes on an almost daily basis,” she added, stressing the need for urgent action on both mitigation and adaptation.

In addition to the direct human toll, the heat and extreme weather have disrupted vital ecosystems, harmed agriculture, and placed immense strain on public health systems. The WMO’s State of the Global Climate 2024 report, due for release in March 2025, will provide a detailed account of these impacts and continue to serve as a critical resource for global climate action.

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Global Response: Early Warnings, Mitigation, and Adaptation Efforts

In response to the escalating climate crisis, the WMO is ramping up its efforts to mitigate the damage and help communities adapt. One key initiative, Early Warnings for All, aims to strengthen global climate services and improve disaster preparedness, especially for extreme heat, which is becoming an increasingly serious threat. The organization recently convened experts from 15 international organizations and 12 countries to create a coordinated framework for tackling extreme heat risks, aligning with the UN Secretary-General’s Call to Action on the issue.

Furthermore, the WMO is advancing its Global Greenhouse Gas Watch initiative, which tracks the rise of emissions that drive climate change. As the WMO celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2025, the focus will also shift toward the cryosphere—the frozen parts of the Earth—through initiatives like the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, a UNESCO and WMO-led effort aimed at safeguarding the world’s glaciers and ice sheets.

The WMO and its partners are also working to ensure that countries, especially those most vulnerable to climate impacts, are equipped with the tools they need to cope with the unfolding crisis. With global temperatures continuing to rise, experts are calling for enhanced international cooperation to protect public health, safeguard ecosystems, and secure a sustainable future for all.