2024 Was The Hottest Year On Record, Says UN Weather Agency

UN weather experts from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year on record. Notably, the past ten years, 2015-2024, are the ten warmest years on record. WMO said that it is the first calendar year with a global mean temperature of more than 1.5°C above the 1850-1900 average.

WMO released the latest figure based on six international datasets. Meanwhile, a separate study found that ocean warming in 2024 played a major role in the record high temperatures. Nearly 90% of the excess heat from global warming is stored in the ocean, making ocean heat content a critical indicator of climate change. 

“Today’s assessment from the World Meteorological Organization proves yet again – global heating is a cold, hard fact,” said António Guterres, UN Secretary-General. “There's still time to avoid the worst of climate catastrophe. But leaders must act – now,” António Guterres added.