Global warming 2024 trends & statistics

As the effects of climate change continue to intensify, the year has brought new challenges and alarming trends in global warming. From record-breaking temperatures to the ongoing struggle to meet international climate goals, this year serves as a stark reminder of the urgency required in addressing this global crisis. 

Below, we explore the key global warming trends and news that have emerged in 2024. We’ll shed some light on the state of our planet and the efforts being made to combat climate change.

Key global warming trends in 2024

1. Record-breaking global temperatures 

In July 2024, the world witnessed new record highs in daily global average temperatures, with some days reaching unprecedented levels. This trend underscores the continuing rise in global temperatures, driven by human activities and exacerbated by natural climate phenomena.

2. Exceedance of 1.5°C threshold

According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), there is an 80% likelihood that global temperatures between 2024 and 2028 will temporarily exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. This alarming prediction highlights the increasing frequency of temperature spikes that push us closer to dangerous climate tipping points.

3. Monthly temperature records

The global average temperature from July 2023 to June 2024 was the highest on record, standing at 1.64°C above the pre-industrial average. This consistent breaking of temperature records serves as a clear indicator of the accelerating pace of global warming.

4. Urban climate challenges

Cities play a crucial role in the fight against climate change. The 2024 Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergy emphasizes the need for urban areas to be at the forefront of climate action. They are key to achieving the Paris Agreement goals and addressing the unique climate challenges faced by densely populated areas. Cities are also usually interconnected to trends in deforestation, which is another pressing issue worth looking into.

5. Adaptation gaps

While there isn’t a 2024 report yet, the UNEP’s Adaptation Gap Report for 2023 reveals that progress on climate adaptation is slowing, even as the impacts of climate change intensify. This highlights the urgent need for increased investment in building climate resilience, particularly in vulnerable regions.

6. Fossil fuel production

Despite growing awareness of the need to reduce carbon emissions, governments are planning to produce more fossil fuels by 2030 than is consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5°C. This trend threatens to undermine global efforts to mitigate climate change.

7. Climate litigation growth

Climate litigation has become an increasingly important tool in holding governments and corporations accountable for their contributions to climate change. UNEP reported that legal actions aimed at securing climate justice in 2022 have more than doubled since 2017, from 884 to 2,180.

8. Public opinion on climate action

The Peoples’ Climate Vote 2024 survey reveals strong global support for more ambitious climate action, with 80% of respondents calling for stronger government measures and 86% advocating for international cooperation to tackle the climate crisis.

9. Health impacts

Rising global temperatures are having significant health impacts, particularly for workers exposed to extreme heat. The International Labour Organization (ILO) reports that more regions are facing increased risks from heat stress, which poses serious challenges to worker safety and productivity.

10. Food security threats

Climate change is exacerbating food insecurity around the world. The United Nations (UN) warns that climate impacts are only going to worsen hunger and malnutrition, especially in low-income countries.

11. Children and climate change

UNICEF’s report “The Climate-Changed Child” highlights the profound effects of climate change on children’s health and development, from prenatal stages to adulthood. The report calls for urgent action to protect the most vulnerable members of society from the escalating impacts of climate change.

12. Early warning systems

Despite improvements in early warning systems for extreme weather events, the UNDRR’s 2023 report indicates that half of the world’s countries still lack adequate multi-hazard early warning systems, leaving them vulnerable to the increasing frequency of climate-related disasters.

13. Heatwaves and displacement

The UNHCR’s 2024 Global Trends Report shows that climate change is driving a surge in forced displacement. More than 117.3 million people were forced to flee their homes due to extreme weather events such as heatwaves, floods, and storms in 2023.

14. Emissions gap

The UNFCCC’s 2023 NDC Synthesis Report reveals that current national climate action plans are insufficient to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, necessitating a significant scaling up of efforts to reduce global emissions.

15. Renewable energy growth

The 2024 REN21 Global Status Report highlights uneven progress in the deployment of renewable energy. There are some significant advances in some areas, but major gaps remain, particularly in the heating, transport, and energy access sectors.

Key Takeaways

2024 has been a year of both alarming developments and crucial insights into the state of global warming. As temperatures continue to rise and the impacts of climate change become more severe, it is clear that urgent and ambitious action is needed at all levels of society. 

The trends outlined above serve as a call to action for governments, businesses, and individuals to accelerate efforts to mitigate and adapt to the rapidly changing climate.

FAQs about 2024 global warming trends

What is causing the record-breaking global temperatures in 2024? 

The record-breaking temperatures in 2024 are primarily caused by long-term climate warming due to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbated by natural phenomena such as El Niño.

Why is exceeding the 1.5°C threshold a concern? 

Exceeding the 1.5°C threshold significantly increases the risk of severe climate impacts, including extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity, and irreversible changes to ecosystems.

What role do cities play in combating climate change? 

Cities are central to climate action as they are responsible for a significant portion of global emissions. Urban areas must implement sustainable practices and policies to reduce their carbon footprint and increase resilience to climate impacts.

How is climate change affecting food security? 

Climate change is worsening food security by disrupting agricultural production, increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, and exacerbating hunger and malnutrition. This is particularly more pronounced in vulnerable regions.

What can individuals do to help combat global warming? 

Individuals can contribute to combating global warming by reducing their carbon footprint, supporting renewable energy, advocating for stronger climate policies, and making sustainable lifestyle choices. Simple things such as reducing energy consumption and waste will do.