Environment

2024 is set to be the first year that breaches the 1.5°C warming limit

This year’s average global temperature is almost certain to exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial times – a milestone that should spur urgent action, say climate scientists

By Madeleine Cuff

6 November 2024

Firefighters work to control a blaze in California in July
ABACA/Shutterstock

2024 is now almost certain to become the first year on record when average temperatures exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, breaching the threshold set by the Paris Agreement.

“At this point, barring an asteroid impact or a massive volcanic eruption… I think it’s safe to say this will be the first year above 1.5 degrees,” says Zeke Hausfather at US non-profit Berkeley Earth.

Is climate change accelerating after a record year of heat?

Last year, the average surface temperature across the globe was 1.45°C above the…

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2024 is set to be the first year that breaches the 1.5°C warming limit

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