Earth Experiences Second-Warmest November on Record, 2024 Set to Become Hottest Year Ever
Global temperatures in November 2024 marked the second-warmest on record, just behind 2023, positioning this year on track to become the hottest year ever measured, according to a report from the European climate service Copernicus. With global average temperatures reaching 14.10°C (57.38°F), surpassing historical records for the month, experts predict that 2024 will surpass 2023’s record-setting heat. November’s temperature was only 0.14°C higher than the same period last year, continuing a trend driven by human-caused climate change and the lingering effects of El Niño. The rise in global temperatures is expected to make 2024 the first year with an average temperature more than 1.5°C (2.7°F) above pre-industrial levels, crossing a critical threshold set by the 2015 Paris Agreement to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Climate scientist Jennifer Francis called the record-breaking heat “terrible news for people and ecosystems,” warning that the rapid pace of warming could lead to irreversible damage, including species extinctions, disruptions to agriculture, and worsening extreme weather events. Heat waves over the oceans, a reduction in sea ice, and the continued absorption of excess heat by the oceans have all contributed to the rise in temperatures. Scientists continue to warn that ambitious climate action is urgently needed to curb the escalating effects of climate change.