NASA has confirmed 2024 as the hottest year on record, with Earth’s average surface temperature reaching 2.30°F (1.28°C) above the 20th-century baseline (1951-1980). This surpasses the 2023 record and reflects a 15-month streak of unprecedented heat, from June 2023 to August 2024.
For the first time, global temperatures exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for over half the year—breaching the critical threshold set by the 2015 Paris Agreement to prevent catastrophic climate impacts.
“2024 broke all records since tracking began in 1880,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “Extreme heat, wildfires, and rising sea levels highlight the urgency to understand and address climate change.”
Rapid Warming Driven by Emissions
Scientists estimate that 2024 temperatures were 2.65°F (1.47°C) higher than mid-19th-century averages, nearing conditions seen three million years ago during the Pliocene epoch, when sea levels were significantly higher. Human activities, particularly carbon dioxide emissions, remain the primary drivers of this trend, with atmospheric CO2 levels now at 420 ppm, up from 278 ppm in the pre-industrial era.
The Local Impact of Global Change
The warming trend is evident in extreme weather events, including heatwaves, flooding, and severe rainfall. “The changes are no longer just global—they’re impacting local weather and daily life,” said Gavin Schmidt, Director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies.
A Call for Global Action
The record-breaking heat underscores the urgent need for collective global action. To combat climate change effectively, countries must accelerate efforts to reduce emissions, adopt renewable energy sources, and enhance climate resilience. The consequences of inaction—rising sea levels, intensified natural disasters, and widespread disruption—are already being felt worldwide.
“Not every year will set new records, but the long-term trend is unmistakable,” Schmidt said. “We must act decisively to mitigate emissions and adapt to a rapidly changing climate before the impacts become irreversible.”
