State of the Climate 2024: Detailed Summary

The State of the Climate 2024 reports from BioScience and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) provide crucial insights into global climate trends, extreme weather events, and policy responses.

Climate Trends and Key Indicators

  1. Global Temperature Rise
    • 2024 is on track to be the hottest year on record, surpassing 2023.
    • January–September 2024 was 1.54°C ± 0.13°C above the pre-industrial average.
    • The past 10 years (2015–2024) are the hottest decade recorded in human history.
    • The increase is driven by El Niño conditions and record-high greenhouse gas emissions.

    Implications:

    • Increased heatwaves, wildfires, glacial melting, and biodiversity loss.
    • Greater risk of crossing climate tipping points, leading to irreversible environmental changes.
  2. Greenhouse Gas Emissions at Record Levels
    • Carbon dioxide (CO₂):
      • 420 ppm (parts per million), a 51% increase from pre-industrial levels (278 ppm).
      • The past decade (2014-2023) saw a CO₂ growth rate of 2.4 ppm per year.
    • Methane (CH₄):
      • Increased by 165% from pre-industrial times (729 ppb to 1934 ppb in 2023).
    • Nitrous Oxide (N₂O):
      • Increased by 24% (270 ppb to 336.9 ppb).
    • Main sources:
      • Fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) account for 90% of emissions.
      • Deforestation and agriculture contribute 10%.

    Implications:

    • Exceeding 5°C warming may happen sooner than expected if emissions continue unchecked.
    • Increased ocean acidification, coral bleaching, and extreme weather events.
  3. Ocean Warming & Sea-Level Rise
    • Ocean Heat Content (OHC) in 2023 was the highest on record.
    • 2023 ocean heat absorption:1 million TWh (18 times the world’s energy consumption).
    • Global mean sea level rise:
      • 77 mm/year (2014-2023),double the rate recorded from 1993-2002 (2.13 mm/year).
    • Drivers of sea-level rise:
      • Thermal expansion (warmer water expands).
      • Melting glaciers and ice sheets (Greenland & Antarctica).

    Implications:

    • Coastal cities at high risk of flooding (Mumbai, Kolkata, New York, Shanghai).
    • Increased frequency of storm surges and hurricanes.
  4. Cryosphere: Melting Glaciers and Sea Ice
    • Glacial ice loss reached a record of 1.2 meters of water equivalent in 2023.
    • Antarctic sea-ice extent in 2024 was the second-lowest on record.
    • Arctic sea-ice extent reached its 7th lowest level.
    • Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are losing mass at record rates.

    Implications:

    • Reduced freshwater availability in regions dependent on glacier-fed rivers.
    • Increased sea-level rise and disruptions to ocean currents (Gulf Stream, AMOC).
  5. Climate Feedback Loops and Tipping Points

    Scientists warn that five major tipping points could be triggered at 1.5°C warming:

    1. Greenland Ice Sheet collapse → Irreversible sea-level rise.
    2. West Antarctic Ice Sheet instability → More flooding.
    3. Amazon Rainforest dieback → Reduced carbon absorption.
    4. Boreal Permafrost thawing → Release of methane, a potent GHG.
    5. Coral Reef destruction → Loss of marine biodiversity.

    Implications:

    • These feedback loops could accelerate climate change beyond human control.
    • Policies need to focus on urgent mitigation to prevent tipping cascades.
State of the Climate 2024: Detailed Summary

II. Extreme Weather Events in 2024

  1. Heatwaves
    • India:
      • 50°C recorded in some regions.
      • 1,500 deaths due to heat stroke in Myanmar alone.
    • Middle East (Saudi Arabia):
      • 1,170 pilgrims died during Hajj due to extreme heat.
    • Mediterranean & Europe:
      • Heatwaves caused 23 fatalities and worsened drought conditions.

    Implications:

    • Increased mortality, crop failure, and water shortages.
    • More heat-related health emergencies (heat strokes, respiratory diseases).
  2. Floods
    • East Africa:
      • 500,000 displaced in Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania.
      • Severe food insecurity for 3.4 million in Somalia.
    • Brazil (May 2024):
      • 173 deaths, 630,000 displaced, $3.7 billion in damages.
    • Afghanistan (May 2024):
      • 474,224 hectares of farmland flooded.

    Implications:

    • Destruction of agriculture, water contamination, disease outbreaks.
    • Mass displacement and economic losses.
  3. Wildfires
    • Chile:
      • 14,000 homes destroyed, 130+ fatalities.
    • Canada & USA:
      • 45,000 displaced in Canada, 240,000 in the USA.

    Implications:

    • Loss of biodiversity and carbon sinks.
    • Worsening air pollution (PM2.5, respiratory diseases).
  4. Cyclones & Hurricanes
    • Hurricane Beryl (July 2024):
      • 64 deaths, $5 billion in damages.
    • Typhoon Yagi (September 2024):
      • 5 million displaced across Vietnam, Myanmar, and Thailand.

    Implications:

    • More frequent and intense storms due to warmer oceans.
    • Destruction of infrastructure, loss of livelihoods.

III. Climate Policy & Actions

  1. Global Climate Mitigation Efforts
    • 108 countries now have Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS).
    • Renewable energy grew by 15% in 2023, but fossil fuels still dominate.
    • IPCC warns that a 2.7°C warming trajectory by 2100 is likely without stronger policies.

    Challenges:

    • Lack of funding for developing nations.
    • Slow transition from fossil fuels to renewables.
  2. India’s Climate Response
    • National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) includes:
      • National Solar Mission.
      • National Water Mission.
      • National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture.
    • Green India Mission aims to increase forest cover.
    • Faster implementation of disaster preparedness is needed.

IV. Conclusion

  • Climate change is a national security, economic, and humanitarian issue.
  • Extreme weather events worsen poverty, displacement, and food security.
  • India must strengthen climate policies and invest in adaptation strategies.