The State of Climate 2024 report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has confirmed that carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are now at their highest in the past 8,00,000 years with measurements reaching 420 parts per million in 2023. Alongside CO2, other greenhouse gases like methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) have also hit record levels intensifying global warming.
Temperature Crosses 1.5°C Threshold
The WMO’s analysis using six international datasets, found that 2024 became the first year where global temperatures exceeded the 1.5°C threshold annually a key limit set by the Paris Agreement. The global mean near-surface temperature was 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels driven by long-term warming and the early-year El Niño effect.
Celeste Saulo, WMO Secretary-General said “While one year above 1.5°C doesn’t mean we failed the Paris Agreement it’s a stark warning that climate risks are increasing”. The long-term warming is estimated to be between 1.34°C and 1.41°C compared to the pre-industrial period (1850-1900).
World May Permanently Cross 1.5°C by 2029
A recent analysis by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) warns that if current trends persist, the 1.5°C threshold could be permanently crossed by September 2029.
Chris Hewitt, Director of Climate Services, WMO says “The fact that the last 10 years are the warmest ever recorded is alarming. This is the first time in history that every year in a decade ranks among the top 10 warmest years”.
The report states that ocean heat content is at its highest recorded level, with 90% of trapped heat being absorbed by oceans.
Celeste Saulo also states “Our oceans continued to warm in 2024, and sea levels kept rising. The cryosphere Earth’s frozen regions is melting at an alarming rate, with glaciers retreating and Antarctic sea ice reaching its second-lowest extent ever”.
Seven of the last 10 years have witnessed the greatest glacier mass loss in recorded history while sea level rise has doubled since satellite measurements began. This warming has also worsened extreme weather events triggering tropical cyclones, floods, droughts, and extreme rainfall leading to the highest displacement figures since 2008.
WMO ocean expert Karina von Shuckmann highlighted that ocean warming accelerated in recent decades, with no signs of slowing in 2024. “We expected a slowdown towards the end of the year, but it didn’t happen. This needs further investigation,” she said.
With climate indicators worsening experts warn that urgent action is needed to curb emissions and mitigate the increasing risks of a warming planet.