A new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) delivers a strong warning – the devastating impacts of climate change have reached new heights in 2024, and the consequences are irreversible.
According to the State of the Global Climate 2024 report, it was the hottest year on record in the 175-year observational period, averaging over 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. While a single year exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius doesn’t indicate that the long-term temperature goals of the Paris Agreement are out of reach, WMO’s Secretary-General, Prof Celeste Saulo, warns, “This report is a wake-up call that we are increasing the risks to our lives, economies, and the planet.”
Domino effect
Greenhouse emissions, which have an immense effect on the global climate, have continued their upward trend. The report explains that around 90% of extra heat trapped by greenhouse gases is absorbed by the oceans, leading to warming and acidification that affect marine life, weather patterns, and rising sea levels as ice sheets and glaciers continue to shrink.
In 2024, the global mean sea level reached an all-time high. The report highlights that even slight increases of just a few millimetres can have serious and far-reaching consequences for millions of people living in coastal areas. Rising sea levels are increasing the risks of coastal flooding and erosion, leaving populations more vulnerable to storms, floods, and saltwater intrusion. Moreover, ecosystems are being lost or degraded, which limits their ability to support human well-being and harms their capacity to adapt and build resilience.
Extreme weather events will affect millions and cost billions
Last year was marked by extreme weather events worldwide. The report lists a striking total of 152 unprecedented weather events, including the severe flash flooding in the Valencia region of Spain on 29 October 2024, when 621 mm of rain fell in six hours, resulting in over 200 deaths and severe damage in the Valencian Community and surrounding areas. The Mediterranean region was particularly affected by heat waves last summer, with June 2024 recorded as the hottest June ever in Cyprus for all areas of the island, regardless of altitude.
The increase in the frequency and intensity of these events is directly linked to rising global temperatures, contributing to food insecurity and the displacement of people worldwide. As noted in the report, extreme weather events in 2024 resulted in the highest number of new displacements recorded in a single year since 2008, with economic losses estimated in the billions of dollars.
To address this critical issue, the report emphasizes the importance of investing in Early Warning Systems (EWS), which is one of the key recommendations included in PAP/RAC’s coastal management plans. These systems enable governments to evacuate communities before disasters occur or to effectively manage the situation during emergencies.
However, despite the value of reliable data disaster risk reduction policies in saving lives, the report warns that climate will continue to change unless the underlying causes are addressed. This means that current efforts to reduce gas emissions, global investments in renewable energy sources, and the flow of climate finance are not enough.
