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- 2024 has been officially declared the hottest year on record by NASA and NOAA.
- Global temperatures averaged around 1.46°C to 1.47°C above preindustrial levels.
- This marks the first calendar year to exceed the 1.5°C global warming threshold set by the Paris Agreement.
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Quick Brief
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Essential Context
In a joint announcement, NASA and NOAA confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year in recorded history. This finding aligns with earlier reports from European scientists and underscores the ongoing trend of global warming.
Core Players
- NASA – National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- NOAA – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- WMO – World Meteorological Organization
- European Commission’s Copernicus Climate Change Service
Key Numbers
- 1.46°C to 1.47°C – Average global temperature above preindustrial levels in 2024
- 0.18°C – Increase in global average temperatures compared to 2023
- 2.9°F (1.6°C) – Global temperature rise above preindustrial levels in 2024
- 10 years (2015-2024) – The warmest decade on record
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The Catalyst
“This is not really new news at this stage — it’s more of a confirmation of what we all suspected was going to happen,” said Russ Vose, chief of the Monitoring and Assessment Branch at NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information.
The confirmation of 2024 as the hottest year on record comes after a summer that was also the hottest in recorded history.
Inside Forces
The data from NASA and NOAA is supported by multiple independent datasets, including those from the European Commission’s Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
These datasets collectively indicate a clear and consistent trend of rising global temperatures.
Power Dynamics
The scientific consensus on global warming is now more robust than ever. Organizations like NASA, NOAA, and the WMO play crucial roles in monitoring and reporting climate data.
These entities are pivotal in informing global climate policies and urging action to mitigate climate change.
Outside Impact
The implications of exceeding the 1.5°C threshold are severe, including unprecedented heatwaves, storms, droughts, floods, and wildfires. Human suffering from these events is already evident.
Samantha Burgess from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts noted, “We are now teetering on the edge of passing the 1.5°C level defined in the Paris Agreement.”
Future Forces
As global temperatures continue to rise, the focus shifts to implementing urgent climate action. The Paris Agreement’s long-term temperature goal is in grave danger.
Key areas for immediate attention include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing climate resilience, and promoting global cooperation on climate policies.
Data Points
- 1880 – The year when global temperature records began.
- 2023 – The previous record-holding year for global temperatures.
- 2.25°F (1.25°C) – The temperature rise above the average summer between 1951 and 1980 for the summer of 2024.
- 1.5°C – The global warming threshold breached for the first time in a calendar year.
The confirmation of 2024 as the hottest year on record serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for global action against climate change. As temperatures continue to rise, the consequences will be felt across the globe, emphasizing the importance of immediate and collective action.
