Already in December, it was established that 2024 was the warmest year ever measured. Now that Copernicus is presenting its comprehensive annual report on temperatures both on land and in water, it is also clear that the sea surface temperatures were the highest, with 0.5 degrees Celsius above the average temperature between 1991 and 2020.
In 2024, extreme weather events occurred, including widespread fires, floods, and drought, which strongly affect both humans, animals, and nature. These events will become more frequent as temperatures rise.
July 22 was the day with the highest average temperature, globally at 17.2 degrees. The report also shows that 2024 is the first calendar year with an average temperature that is 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.
Not Dead
But that doesn't mean that the Paris Agreement's goal is dead. It refers to the 1.5-degree increase being exceeded over a longer period, around 20 years, says Samantha Burgess, deputy head of Copernicus at a press conference before the report was released.
According to the Paris Agreement, global warming should be kept well below 2 degrees compared to pre-industrial levels, with the ambition to limit it to 1.5 degrees.
But the likelihood of exceeding the target is high, and it is of the utmost importance that we reach net-zero emissions as quickly as possible, continues Samantha Burgess.
Hardest Hit
Europe is one of the continents where the heat has struck hardest. Here, the average temperature during the year was 10.7 degrees, which is 1.5 degrees more than the average temperature between 1991 and 2020.
At the same time, greenhouse gas emissions are increasing to record levels, further fueling global warming. Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere reached 422 ppm (parts per million) and methane at 1897 ppb (parts per billion), both above 2023 levels.
The temperature increases we see are not our personal opinions or forecasts. They are facts and observations and are linked to increased amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, says Carlo Buontempo.
