The WMO’s report for 2024 reveals over 150 unprecedented climate disasters, including record heatwaves and floods worldwide, resulting in 800,000 displaced individuals. As the hottest year recorded, it underscores the urgency for global leaders to enhance climate resilience and invest in renewable energy to counteract rising global carbon emissions and worsening climate impacts.
In 2024, the UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported over 150 extreme climate disasters, marking it as the hottest year in recorded history. This intense climate crisis resulted in devastating heatwaves, torrential rains, floods, and storms globally. Due to these unprecedented events, more than 800,000 individuals were displaced, the highest annual figure since 2008.
The report identified 151 extreme weather occurrences categorized as unprecedented for their regions, including severe heatwaves in Japan that resulted in hundreds of thousands suffering from heat-induced illnesses. Record temperatures peaked at 49.9°C in Western Australia, 49.7°C in Iran, and 48.5°C in Mali.
Historic rainfall in Italy caused major flooding and landslides, while Senegal suffered substantial destruction from torrential floods. Flash floods in Pakistan and Brazil also resulted in significant agricultural losses. 2024 brought an unprecedented six typhoons to the Philippines within a month, and Hurricane Helene struck Florida with unmatched force, affecting millions.
The WMO emphasized that the last decade has seen the 10 hottest years on record, but global carbon emissions continued their upward trend, predicting increasingly severe consequences. Critics attributed these changes to drastic cuts in climate science funding, alongside the US’s missing climate accountability under former President Trump. UN Secretary General António Guterres urged leaders to capitalize on renewable energy solutions through revised national climate strategies.
Experts, including Dr. Luke Parsons from the Nature Conservancy, warned that climate conditions would deteriorate further in the coming decade, while prior research indicated that approximately 550 extreme weather events have been intensified due to global warming. Concerns over the silencing of climate science were raised by Dr. Brenda Ekwurzel from Union of Concerned Scientists, emphasizing the urgency for leaders to act decisively against climate change.
Professor Stefan Rahmstorf from the Potsdam Institute highlighted the relentless trajectory of global warming since the 1980s, advocating for a swift transition away from fossil fuels. Dr. Davide Faranda urged that every incremental change holds significant impact, stressing the necessity of immediate action for future climate mitigation.
WMO Secretary General Prof. Celeste Saulo described the report as a crucial alarm indicating growing hazards and underscored the need for improved early warning systems, as only half of nations currently possess adequate capabilities. Investment in climate services is critical for enhancing resilience against escalating weather phenomena.
Moreover, the Trump administration’s significant staff cuts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have raised alarms among experts, emphasizing that a dollar invested in climate resilience can save 13 dollars in damages.
The WMO’s 2024 report illustrates an alarming escalation in climate-related disasters, underscoring the urgent need for global leaders to mitigate climate change impacts. With unprecedented weather patterns wreaking havoc worldwide, it is crucial to invest in renewable energy and strengthen climate resilience strategies. They’re necessary to protect populations from ongoing and future disasters, emphasizing that all levels of society must prioritize climate action now more than ever.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
