In November, it seemed inevitable, and now it is official: 2024 was the hottest year globally since records began, with Earth surpassing the 1.5°C warming threshold for the first time, according to Copernicus, the European Earth observation program. The increase in greenhouse gases, particularly CO2, from fossil fuel combustion, has driven this warming.
Unprecedented CO2 emissions were recorded last year, and an El Niño event in the Pacific Ocean contributed to higher global temperatures. Climate scientist Bart Verheggen from KNMI notes that while breaking the record was expected, the extent of the temperature rise was surprising.
Researchers considered several factors, like solar activity and the 2022 Tonga volcanic eruption, but found them unimportant.
Source: NOS