Global Warming Reaches Record Levels, Alarming Experts

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Global Warming Reaches Record Levels, Alarming Experts

In 2024, Earth experienced its hottest year on record, with the global average temperature reaching 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels. This marks the first calendar year to exceed the critical 1.5°C threshold outlined in the 2015 Paris Agreement, raising serious concerns among climate scientists about the accelerating pace of global warming .​

The unprecedented heat was driven by record-high greenhouse gas concentrations, particularly carbon dioxide, which reached levels not seen in 800,000 years. These elevated emissions, primarily from fossil fuel combustion, have intensified the greenhouse effect, trapping more heat in the Earth's atmosphere and leading to widespread climatic disruptions .​

The consequences of this warming are evident across the globe. In South Asia, countries like Pakistan experienced extreme heatwaves, with temperatures soaring to 118°F (47.8°C) and potentially reaching 120°F (48.9°C), challenging previous records and posing severe health risks to millions .​

Marine ecosystems have also suffered, with over 84% of the world's coral reefs exposed to heat stress levels that cause bleaching. This represents the largest global bleaching event recorded, threatening biodiversity and the livelihoods of communities dependent on these ecosystems .​

In polar regions, the situation is equally dire. Antarctica experienced a significant heatwave, with temperatures rising up to 28°C above average during its winter months. This anomaly led to accelerated ice melt and contributed to sea-level rise, highlighting the vulnerability of polar ice sheets to warming temperatures .​