The year 2024 marked an alarming milestone in climate history as it became the hottest year recorded since the inception of temperature documentation. For the first time, the entire globe exceeded the critical 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels, setting a concerning precedent for future global warming trajectories. On July 22, 2024, the Earth experienced an unprecedented average temperature of 17.16° C (63° Fahrenheit), the highest ever documented.
This year witnessed a substantial rise in global average temperatures, reflecting a 0.72 degrees Celsius increase compared to the average from 1991 to 2020. This surge is part of a long-term warming trend that has been escalating since 1967. The year 2024's record-breaking heat was not an isolated incident but rather the culmination of this enduring upward trajectory. Multiple other records were also shattered, including those related to atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations, air temperatures, and sea surface temperatures.
Earth's overall temperature in 2024 was recorded at 15.10° C, which is 1.6 degrees Celsius above the preindustrial average from the period between 1850 and 1900. This historical reference point serves as a benchmark for understanding the extent of modern climate change. Although pockets of the planet had previously surpassed the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold numerous times over the last decade, 2024 was the first instance where this was consistent globally.
The recent decade from 2010 to 2019 had already set a record as the warmest ten years ever documented, indicating a persistent rise in global temperatures. The events of 2024 amplify concerns about the potential future impacts of climate change on ecosystems and human societies worldwide.
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