2024 is poised to be the hottest year in recorded history, with global temperatures exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Scientists urge bold action at COP29 to address the escalating climate crisis.
Climate scientists now deem it “virtually certain” that 2024 will become the hottest year in recorded history. Data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service reveals that global temperatures this year will surpass all previous records, crossing a critical threshold in the ongoing climate crisis. For the first time, the global average temperature is expected to exceed 2.7°F (1.5°C) above pre-industrial levels—an alarming milestone that underscores the urgent need for climate action.
Unprecedented Heat and Its Implications
The forecasted record-breaking heat of 2024 highlights a growing failure to curb global warming. Samantha Burgess, Deputy Director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, called on global leaders to respond decisively, particularly at the upcoming COP29 climate conference in Azerbaijan. “This year’s unprecedented temperatures must serve as a wake-up call,” Burgess stated, emphasizing the need for ambitious measures to address the escalating crisis.
The previous record for the hottest year was set in 2023, but 2024 is on track to surpass it by a significant margin. Without a dramatic cooling trend in the final months of the year—a scenario experts say is unlikely—2024 will claim the top spot.
October 2024: A Month of Extremes
October 2024 reinforced the alarming trend, with the United States experiencing one of its hottest and driest Octobers on record. The national average temperature reached 59°F, nearly 5°F above the 20th-century average, making it the second-warmest October in 130 years of record-keeping, just behind 1963.
- States with Record Heat: Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, and Utah endured their hottest October ever.
- Wildfire Risks: California and Colorado reported unusually high temperatures and severe dryness, fueling wildfires like the Mountain Fire in California and another in Brooklyn, New York.
Adding to the crisis, October 2024 was the second-driest October in U.S. history, tied with 1963. Delaware and New Jersey recorded their driest October ever, intensifying drought conditions and heightening fire risks.
Global Heat Trends: A Worrying Continuation
Globally, October 2024 saw average surface temperatures approximately 2.97°F (1.65°C) above pre-industrial levels, continuing a 15-month streak of record-breaking warmth. Copernicus data also shows that the past 12 months have consistently exceeded both pre-industrial temperatures and the 1991–2020 average by 1.3°F (0.7°C).
These findings further underscore the long-term trajectory of rising global temperatures. To prevent 2024 from becoming the hottest year on record, a significant cooling trend would need to occur—a highly improbable outcome given current climate patterns.
The Call for Decisive Action
As COP29 kicks off in Azerbaijan, the record-breaking heat of 2024 serves as an undeniable call to action for world leaders. The data reveals the need for immediate, ambitious policies to mitigate climate change and prevent further environmental damage.
Experts warn that without stronger global climate strategies, the impacts of rising temperatures—such as intensified droughts, wildfires, and extreme weather events—will only worsen. The time for incremental change has passed; urgent and unified action is now critical to safeguard the planet’s future.
The confirmation that 2024 is set to become the hottest year on record underscores the gravity of the climate crisis. With the global average temperature crossing 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the world faces a defining moment in the fight against climate change. As COP29 unfolds, global leaders have a chance to act decisively, charting a course toward a sustainable and resilient future.