The year 2024 is set to become the warmest on record, marking the culmination of a decade of unprecedented global heat driven by human activities, according to a report released today by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in Geneva. The report highlights that greenhouse gas levels continue to rise, reinforcing long-term warming trends and exacerbating climate-related impacts. WMO announced it will release the consolidated global temperature data for 2024 in January, followed by its comprehensive State of the Global Climate 2024 report in March 2025.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized the urgent implications of rising temperatures, stating that even minor increases in warming amplify climate extremes, intensify risks, and compound socio-economic impacts. The year has witnessed record-breaking rainfall, severe flooding, and devastating tropical cyclones, leading to widespread loss of life and economic hardship. Saulo cited catastrophic events such as the impact of tropical cyclones in Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, as well as intense heatwaves that pushed temperatures above 50°C in several countries.
Wildfires also left a trail of destruction across multiple regions, further underlining the escalating climate crisis. The WMO report stressed the critical importance of the “Early Warnings for All” initiative, which aims to improve climate monitoring, forecasting, and adaptation strategies. Efforts to mitigate climate change include the rollout of the Global Greenhouse Gas Watch initiative and ongoing support for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Conference of the Parties (COP).
Looking ahead, 2025 will focus on the cryosphere – the Earth’s frozen regions, including glaciers, sea ice, and permafrost—recognized as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation. This initiative, supported by UNESCO and WMO, aims to address the accelerating loss of ice masses that play a crucial role in regulating global climate systems. A separate report by World Weather Attribution and Climate Central found that climate change intensified 26 of 29 major weather events in 2024, resulting in at least 3,700 fatalities and displacing millions. It also reported 41 additional days of hazardous heatwaves, posing threats to human health, ecosystems, and food security.
In response to mounting challenges, WMO convened a high-level group of experts from 15 international organizations, 12 countries, and leading academic institutions from December 17–19 in Geneva. The gathering sought to develop a coordinated framework to address the risks associated with extreme heat, aligning with the UN Secretary-General’s global call to action on extreme heat. As climate risks escalate, WMO reiterated the need for strengthened international cooperation, technological advancements, and proactive strategies to mitigate extreme weather impacts and build resilience worldwide. – By MENA Newswire News Desk.