New research has revealed that Climate Change added an average of 41 extra days of dangerous heat in 2024, impacting human health and ecosystems. The joint report from World Weather Attribution (WWA) and Climate Central warns that countries must urgently prepare for escalating climate risks to reduce future deaths and damage.
Impact of Human-Caused Warming
The study highlighted that Climate Change played a significant role in intensifying extreme weather events, with human-induced warming contributing to longer periods of heat. The report found that the world experienced an average of 41 additional days of dangerous heat in 2024, exacerbating issues like heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and floods. These events affected ecosystems and public health, killing over 3,700 people and displacing millions worldwide.
The Growing Threat of Extreme Weather
According to Friederike Otto, lead of WWA, the impacts of Climate Change in 2024 were more severe than ever before. “We are living in a dangerous new era,” Otto said, referring to the devastating effects of floods in Spain, hurricanes in the US, droughts in the Amazon, and floods in Africa. The report emphasized that Climate Change had a stronger influence on many of these extreme weather events than even the El Nino phenomenon.
Urgent Need for a Fossil Fuel-Free Future
The scientists behind the report stress that the only way to mitigate these extreme weather events is by rapidly transitioning away from fossil fuels. Otto stated, “We know exactly what we need to do to stop things from getting worse: stop burning fossil fuels.” Accelerating this transition is essential to preventing further damage and protecting public health.
Preparing for the Future
The report warns that if the world continues to rely on fossil fuels, the number of dangerous heat days will only increase. To address this, experts advocate for a swift move away from fossil fuels, improvements in early warning systems, and increased international support to help developing nations build climate resilience.
In conclusion, the need for immediate action on Climate Change has never been clearer, and 2025 must be a turning point in global efforts to protect people and the planet.
