The World Meteorological Organization announced on Monday that 2024 has been officially the hottest year on record, closing a decade of unprecedented heat fueled by human activities.

In a report published on Dec. 30, the WMO said that the greenhouse gas levels continue to grow to record observed highs, locking in even more heat for the future.

The UN agency added that it will publish the consolidated global temperature figure for 2024 in January and its full State of the Global Climate 2024 report in March 2025.

“Every fraction of a degree of warming matters and increases climate extremes, impacts and risks,” WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said in the statement.

She added: “Temperatures are only part of the picture. Climate change plays out before our eyes on an almost daily basis in the form of increased occurrence and impact of extreme weather events.”

Unprecedented Heat, Unrelenting Impact

According to Saulo, the impacts of climate change are now unavoidable, permeating every corner of the globe and affecting economies, ecosystems, and human lives.

“Every fraction of a degree of warming matters,” she emphasized, pointing to the cascading effects of extreme heat, flooding, and wildfires observed throughout 2024.

This year alone, Saulo noted, saw temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius in multiple regions, tropical cyclones devastating communities like Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, and catastrophic flooding events displacing millions.

A recent study by World Weather Attribution revealed that climate change intensified 26 out of 29 extreme weather events analyzed, collectively killing at least 3,700 people and displacing countless others.

The same report found that climate change added 41 days of dangerous heat to 2024, exacerbating health crises and stressing fragile ecosystems.

These findings, documented in the report When Risks Become Reality: Extreme Weather in 2024, reflect the urgent need for global cooperation on mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Urgent Calls for Action

The intensification of climate extremes has galvanized international efforts to address these threats. In December, experts from 15 international organizations, 12 countries, and leading NGOs convened at WMO headquarters to develop a framework for combating extreme heat.

The initiative aligns with the UN Secretary-General’s Call to Action on heat risks as global temperatures rise.

WMO is also advancing its Early Warnings for All initiative to bolster climate adaptation and preparedness. The program aims to enhance public safety through early detection of extreme weather, while its Global Greenhouse Gas Watch initiative focuses on monitoring emissions to support global climate mitigation goals.

A Decade Defined by Climate Change

The toll of a warming planet has grown increasingly visible, from the retreat of glaciers to the devastation of communities.

As WMO prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2025, it is also marking the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, co-led with UNESCO, to highlight the urgency of protecting the Earth’s frozen regions.

“This year’s extreme weather and record heat show that the climate crisis is not a distant threat — it is here, now,” said Saulo. “If we want a safer planet, we must act decisively. It’s our responsibility, a global responsibility.”

For many, the record-breaking heat of 2024 serves as a grim reminder of what is at stake.

As leaders prepare for a critical year in climate diplomacy, the choices made in 2025 will determine whether the world can avert the worst of the climate crisis — or continue hurtling toward an uncertain future.

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