As we bid farewell to 2024, Earth.Org takes a look back at the most significant climate news and events that shaped the year. From alarming environmental reports to key climate summits, join us as we recap the top climate headlines that made waves in 2024.
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1. 2024 ‘Virtually Certain’ to Be Hottest in History, Marking ‘New Milestone’ in Temperature Records
2024 is now “virtually certain” to become the hottest year ever recorded, beating 2023. It comes after several months of record-breaking temperatures, the hottest summer on record, and two back-to-back days of record-breaking daily global average temperatures.
This alarming trend is attributed to human-induced climate change, compounded by natural phenomena such as El Niño.
It is also the first year with temperatures expected to exceed 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, a critical temperature limit established in the Paris Agreement.
Recent data from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service indicates that global temperatures have consistently breached this threshold, marking a significant milestone in temperature records.
Researchers at World Weather Attribution (WWA) and Climate Central found that the average person experienced 41 additional days of dangerous heat fuelled by human-made climate change this year.
The burning of coal, natural gas, and oil for electricity and heat is the single-largest source of global greenhouse gas emissions. These are the primary drivers of global warming as they trap heat in the atmosphere, raising Earth’s surface temperature.
Global fossil fuel consumption has more than doubled in the last 50 years, as countries around the world aim to improve their standards of living and economic output.
In 2023, atmospheric concentrations of all three of the most potent greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide – reached record highs. Because of their extremely long durability in the atmosphere, the world is now “committed to rising temperatures for many, many years to come,” said Ko Barret, Deputy Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization.
Rising temperatures contribute to more frequent and severe weather events, including heatwaves and tropical cyclones, alongside melting ice caps and rising sea levels. These changes threaten ecosystems and biodiversity, as well as food and water security, human health, and economic stability.
2. COP29 Negotiators Finalize $300 Billion Climate Finance Agreement Amidst Criticism from Developing Nations
At the 29th UN climate summit (COP29) held last month in Baku, Azerbaijan, negotiators reached a controversial agreement to provide at least $300 billion annually in climate finance for developing countries by 2035.
This pledge was intended to address the urgent needs of nations disproportionately affected by climate change. However, many developing nations expressed outrage, deeming the amount “insultingly low” and insisting on “trillions, not billions” to effectively combat the climate crisis.
The agreement, which replaces a previous commitment to mobilize $100 billion per year, is indeed far less compared to what economists think is actually needed to tackle climate change: some $1.3 trillion annually.
Indian negotiator Chandni Raina described the proposal as “abysmally poor,” stating it would not enable the necessary climate action for survival. Similarly, the chairman of the group representing least-developed countries, Cedric Schuster, lamented that their voices had not been adequately heard during the negotiations.
Despite assurances from negotiators that the new finance goal serves as an “insurance policy” for humanity in the face of worsening climate impacts, critics argue that it lacks the necessary ambition and urgency. Many developing countries are already burdened with existing debts from prior development assistance, making them wary of additional loans.
Moreover, the agreement includes provisions that “encourage” countries like China – the world’s biggest polluter – to contribute voluntarily. The move has raised concerns about fairness and accountability in climate financing.
3. Historic Global Growth of Renewables Set to Outpace Countries’ 2030 Targets But Fall Short of COP28 Tripling Goal, IEA Says
The world is on track to add over 5,500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030, exceeding national targets set by various governments. However, this growth is still expected to fall short of the COP28 goal to triple global renewable capacity within the same period.
China is anticipated to lead this renewable expansion, contributing about 60% of the total growth, while the European Union, the US, and India are set to more than double their renewable capacities.
Currently, renewable energy accounts for just over 30% of global electricity generation.
The increase in renewable capacity is largely driven by rising demand from the private sector and households, bolstered by supportive energy policies in nearly 140 countries.
Despite this positive trend, the International Energy Agency (IEA) cautions that fully meeting the tripling target remains achievable if governments take decisive actions, including enhancing international cooperation and implementing stronger energy policies in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Solar and wind energy are projected to represent approximately 95% of the expected growth, with significant contributions from both large-scale and distributed renewable energy technologies. However, the report notes that hydrogen’s contribution to this expansion remains minimal.
The IEA has urged countries to halt new gas and oil field projects, arguing that this is the only way to keep the 1.5C-compatible net-zero emissions scenario alive.
4. Disappointment Over COP16 Finance Deal Amid Breakthroughs in Indigenous Inclusion and Genetic Data
The COP16 biodiversity summit in Cali, Colombia, concluded on November 1 without an agreement on crucial climate finance, despite notable advancements in Indigenous representation and genetic data management.
Attended by around 15,000 participants, including heads of state and ministers, the summit aimed to progress on commitments made under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Delegates successfully established a global fund for equitable sharing of benefits from digital genetic resources and created a subsidiary body to include Indigenous Peoples in decision-making processes. But key issues like resource mobilization and monitoring progress on the 30X30 target – a commitment to protect 30% of the Earth’s lands and waters by 2030 – remained unaddressed.
Criticism arose regarding the scheduling of critical discussions at the summit’s conclusion, leaving many representatives, particularly from Pacific Island nations, unable to participate in crucial negotiations.
Key figures, including Brazilian negotiator Maria Angelica Ikeda, expressed frustration over the lack of legitimacy in discussing financial mechanisms at the last minute.
The failure to adopt a resource mobilization strategy highlighted the urgent need for increased financial commitment, especially as countries had previously pledged to raise $200 billion annually for biodiversity by 2030.
As global biodiversity continues to decline, with reports indicating a 73% loss in key species since 1970, the summit underscored the pressing need for decisive action and collaboration among nations to fulfill their commitments and protect the planet’s natural resources.
5. Ocean Warming Intensified Wind Speed for All Atlantic Hurricanes in 2024
Ocean warming fuelled by human-made climate change has intensified all hurricanes in the Atlantic in 2024, researchers recently confirmed.
Higher-than-usual ocean temperatures have contributed to significant increases in the intensity of eleven storms recorded between June and November, enhancing their wind speeds by 9 to 28 mph (14.5 to 45 km/h). As a result, seven hurricanes reached a higher category on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, while two tropical storms – Debby and Oscar – strengthened into hurricanes.
Researchers also found that nearly 80% of Atlantic hurricanes from 2019 to 2023 were intensified by ocean warming.
Over most of the global oceans, the first ten months of 2024 saw record-warm sea surface temperatures, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
A warmer atmosphere, attributed to fossil fuel emissions, can hold significantly more moisture – approximately 7% more for every 1C increase in temperature – leading to more severe rainfall and flooding.
6. Negotiators Fail to Agree on Global Plastic Treaty at INC-5, Talks Postponed to Next Year
At the recent Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) meeting in Busan, South Korea, more than 3,300 delegates from over 170 nations came together to finalize a legally binding treaty aimed at curbing plastic pollution. However, disagreements on key issues, including the treaty’s scope and production caps, led to the postponement of negotiations until next year.
Despite Panama’s proposal to establish global production reduction targets, resistance from major oil-producing nations, particularly Russia and Saudi Arabia, hindered progress.
The failure to reach an agreement at INC-5 represents a significant setback in the fight against plastic pollution, with increasing calls for immediate action from environmental advocates.
With over 8 million tons of plastic waste ending up in the oceans every year, a global treaty is seen as vital for managing plastic production, enhancing recycling, and promoting sustainable alternatives, ultimately protecting ecosystems and human health.
The urgency for a global treaty is also underscored by the fact that only 9% of plastics are recycled, with the rest ending up in landfills or the environment. Additionally, plastic production contributes 3.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, comparable to the entire aviation industry.
7. World on Track for 3.1C Warming, UN Report Warns
A United Nations report published in October revealed that current global commitments are set to increase temperatures by 2.6C to 3.1C by the end of the century, significantly exceeding the Paris Agreement’s target of limiting warming to 1.5C.
To align with this goal, nations must collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2030 and 57% by 2035.
The report emphasizes the urgent need for ambitious action, particularly from G20 countries, which account for 77% of global emissions and are currently falling short of their national climate pledges.
Every year between 2000-2019, approximately 489,000 people died from extreme heat around the world. 45% of these casualties happened in Asia, the world’s most disaster-hit region from weather and climate hazards; 36% were in Europe, the world’s fastest-warming continent. Here, heat-related mortality has already increased by around 30% in the past two decades, coinciding with a rise in the average temperature.
The study highlighted a dramatic rise in heat-related deaths in Europe, which could potentially triple to approximately 128,809 by 2100, compared to around 44,000 reported between 1991 and 2020. This alarming projection underscores the need for substantial adaptation measures, especially in vulnerable regions like southern Europe.
Countries such as Italy, Germany, and Spain are projected to see the most significant increases in heat-related deaths. In Italy, fatalities could potentially rise from 10,433 to around 28,285 by the century’s end. Demographic factors, including age, gender, and socioeconomic status, will also influence vulnerability, particularly in urban areas affected by the urban heat island effect.
8. Mount Fuji Snowless in October For First Time in Over 130 Years After Japan’s Hottest Summer on Record
For the first time in over 130 years, Japan’s iconic peak has remained snowless into late October.
Mount Fuji typically sees its first snowfall around October 2, but meteorologists attribute the absence of snow to exceptionally warm conditions, which have persisted into September. Yutaka Katsuta from the Kofu Local Meteorological Office explained that this unusual weather pattern has deterred the arrival of colder air needed for snowfall.
This summer, the hottest on record globally, was also Japan’s warmest since record-keeping began in 1898, matching the high set in 2023. Temperatures between June and August were 1.76C (3.1F) higher than the average and have remained unusually high in September, deterring cold air, said Katsuta.
9. Global Coral Bleaching Event Now Largest on Record
The ongoing, fourth global coral bleaching event is now officially the largest on record, affecting over 74 countries and 77% of the world’s coral reefs.
This unprecedented situation is primarily driven by rising ocean temperatures, which have reached levels that induce stress on coral ecosystems.
Coral bleaching occurs when elevated water temperatures cause corals to expel the algae (zooxanthellae) that live symbiotically within their tissues. This loss not only strips the corals of their vibrant colors but also compromises their health, making them more susceptible to diseases. While bleaching itself does not directly result in coral death, the increased frequency and severity of these heat stress events can lead to significant mortality if conditions do not improve.
NOAA officials noted in October that the current event has surpassed previous records by over 11% and is still expanding in scope. The bleaching is widespread across all regions where warm-water corals are found, including the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. This situation poses dire consequences for marine biodiversity, as coral reefs support approximately 25% of all marine species and provide essential ecosystem services valued at up to $9.9 trillion annually.
Reefs are disappearing at an alarming pace. According to the most recent report by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), the world has lost approximately 14% of corals since 2009. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef – the world’s largest coral reef system – serves as a poignant example, having experienced six mass bleaching events since 1998. These events have had catastrophic effects on coral populations, with the 2016 and 2017 bleaching episodes alone resulting in the loss of 50% of its corals.
Aside from Australia, coral death has been particularly pronounced in regions such as South Asia, the Pacific, East Asia, the Western Indian Ocean, The Gulf, and Gulf of Oman.
10. One in Five Migratory Species Threatened With Extinction
A report published in February by the United Nations Convention on Migratory Species has revealed that approximately 22% of migratory species are at risk of extinction, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts. The first-of-its-kind analysis assessed 1,189 migratory species and found that nearly half are experiencing population declines.
Fish populations are particularly affected, with a staggering 97% of species listed on the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) classified as threatened.
The report also examined over 3,000 additional migratory species not officially listed, indicating they are not included in recognized conservation lists or classifications maintained by the CMS or other international conservation organizations. Among these, 399 species were identified as threatened or near threatened, including various birds and fish.
Migratory species play essential roles in ecosystems, contributing to pollination, nutrient cycling, and food sources for other wildlife. However, they face increasing pressures from habitat degradation, climate change, pollution, and invasive species.
Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, emphasized the critical situation facing these species and called for immediate action to address the threats they encounter. The report recommends strategies to mitigate illegal capture, reduce bycatch, and protect vital habitats.
These efforts align with the global commitments outlined in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to halt biodiversity loss and conserve at least 30% of terrestrial and marine areas by 2030. Without swift action, the future of migratory species – and the ecosystems they support – remains precarious.
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