WMO State of the Climate 2024 Update: Last 10 Years Were World's Warmest on Record

2024 Becomes the Hottest Year in History: A Clear Sign of Escalating Climate Crisis

The year 2024 has marked a new chapter in human history—not due to breakthrough achievements or technological wonders, but because our planet has officially experienced the hottest year ever recorded. This isn’t just another data point; it’s a loud, urgent warning. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed that the global average temperature in 2024 reached 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels (1850–1900), surpassing the critical threshold outlined in the Paris Agreement.

‍A Dangerous Path Ahead
Does this mean we’ve failed to meet global climate targets? Not necessarily. But one thing is certain—we are on a dangerous trajectory.

2024 Tops the List of Ten Hottest Years
Data from six leading scientific agencies—including NASA, NOAA, and ECMWF—reveals a consistent trend: every year from 2015 to 2024 is among the ten hottest on record. And 2024 stands at the top.

According to ERA5 (ECMWF Reanalysis version 5), the global average temperature for 2024 hit 15.10°C—0.72°C higher than the 1991–2020 average, breaking the previous record set in 2023.

More Than Just Numbers: The Real-World Impact
What does a few degrees increase mean? While it may seem abstract, even a 0.1°C rise translates into more extreme heatwaves, heavier rainfall causing floods, and increasingly uncontrollable wildfires.

Samantha Burgess, Climate Strategy Lead at ECMWF, noted that this temperature surge was accompanied by record-high atmospheric water vapor, exacerbating extreme weather conditions. No surprise that millions have suffered more frequent and severe disasters.

Indonesia Also Breaks Records
In Indonesia, 2024 has also been the hottest year since temperature records began in 1981. According to BMKG, the national average reached 27.5°C, with an anomaly of 0.8°C compared to the 1991–2020 average, surpassing the previous 2016 record.

This rise is accompanied by a sea level increase of 4.3 mm per year—posing serious threats not only to small islands but also to densely populated coastal areas like Jakarta, Semarang, and Surabaya.

Human Activities Are the Main Cause
WMO and other global climate monitors agree: today’s climate change is mainly driven by human activity. Greenhouse gases like CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O have surged in recent decades.

In Indonesia, BMKG data shows CO₂ levels have exceeded 420 ppm—150% above pre-industrial levels. Methane (CH₄) has increased 264%, and nitrous oxide (N₂O) 124%. This is a signal that we are heating the planet at an unprecedented rate.

The Ocean’s Role in the Climate Crisis
A study led by Prof. Lijing Cheng found that in 2024, global oceans reached their highest temperatures ever—both at the surface and down to 2,000 meters. Oceans absorb about 90% of excess heat from global warming, making ocean heat content a key climate change indicator.

Global ocean heat content rose by 16 zettajoules in just one year—equivalent to 140 times the world’s annual electricity use. This illustrates that Earth is storing a “heat time bomb,” threatening marine ecosystems, coral reefs, and weather patterns.

2024 and the 1.5°C Threshold: What It Means
The Paris Agreement mandates that the world must strive to keep global warming below 2°C, with a preferred limit of 1.5°C. 2024 marks the first year that global temperatures exceeded the 1.5°C limit for a full year.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated, "One year above 1.5°C does not mean failure, but it is a sign we must fight even harder." Scientists agree that long-term goals are still within reach—if we act now.

What Can and Must Be Done?
Avoiding the worst effects of climate change is still possible, but only through swift, coordinated action. Here are concrete steps we can take together:

• Accelerating Energy Transition: Shifting from fossil fuels to renewables like solar, wind, and biomass is no longer optional—it’s essential.
• Reducing Industrial and Transport Emissions: Heavy industry and transport must cut emissions through electric vehicles, energy efficiency, and alternative fuels like hydrogen.
• Forest Conservation and Reforestation: Tropical forests like Indonesia’s play a critical role in absorbing carbon. Stopping deforestation and expanding green areas must be a priority.
• Climate Action by Governments and Corporations: Governments must update national climate pledges (NDCs), and companies must adopt ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) in their operations.
• Public Awareness and Participation: Individuals also matter—by reducing plastic use, choosing sustainable local products, and cutting meat consumption.

Climate Tipping Points: A Real Threat
Exceeding the 1.5°C limit is not just a number. It could trigger irreversible climate tipping points such as ocean current disruptions, permafrost melt, and tropical coral reef collapse.

The consequences of these tipping points are unimaginable and irreversible, threatening future generations.

The data from 2024 isn’t just scientific record—it’s an urgent call for global action. We can’t afford to wait. Climate change won’t wait for us to be ready. We must act—now, at all levels.

Otherwise, years like 2024 won’t be exceptions, but the new normal. And that’s a reality we cannot accept.

Official Data Sources:
WMO – WMO 2024 Official Report
UN – Statement from UN Secretary-General
BMKG – 2024 Climate and Air Quality Report
Lijing Cheng Study – Advances in Atmospheric Sciences