This year, 2024, will be etched in history as the hottest on record, with climate disasters wreaking havoc on every corner of the globe. From impoverished areas like Mayotte to wealthy nations such as Saudi Arabia, the impacts of supercharged climate events have been devastating.
According to the World Weather Attribution network, which studies how global warming exacerbates extreme weather, nearly every disaster analyzed over the past year was intensified by climate change. "The impacts of fossil fuel warming have never been clearer or more devastating than in 2024. We are living in a dangerous new era," stated climate scientist Friederike Otto, who leads the WWA network.
Extreme heat was tragically evident during the Muslim Hajj pilgrimage in June, where over 1,300 people died as temperatures soared to a staggering 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit) in Saudi Arabia. This deadly heat, often referred to as the 'silent killer,' also took lives across regions such as Thailand, India, and the United States. Conditions were so dire in Mexico, it was reported, howler monkeys fell dead from trees due to the heat.
Pakistan faced horrific consequences as millions of children were forced to stay home when temperatures soared above 50C. Greece recorded its earliest heatwave, resulting in the closure of its iconic Acropolis and sparking wildfires during what became Europe’s hottest summer.
Yet the issue extends beyond extreme heat. The warming oceans mean higher evaporation rates, which can lead to torrential rainfall. The United Arab Emirates experienced two years' worth of rain within just one day this April, turning parts of the desert state underwater and crippling Dubai's international airport.
East Africa wasn't spared either; Kenya found itself battling devastating floods after just recovering from a historic drought, leading to 1,500 fatalities across West and Central Africa where four million people required aid after the flooding.
Europe also faced its share of calamity, with Spain suffering severe and deadly flash flooding. Other countries, including Afghanistan, Brazil, and China, reported similar flooding disasters during this tumultuous year.
Further compounding these challenges, warmer ocean surfaces are affecting the activity of tropical cyclones. The 2024 hurricane season saw major storms Impacting the Caribbean and the United States, with hurricanes Milton, Beryl, and Helene hitting hard. The Philippines was battered with six major storms through November, following the earlier devastation caused by Typhoon Yagi.
December brought yet another tragedy as global warming intensified Cyclone Chino to a Category 4 storm, hitting Mayotte, France’s poorest overseas territory.
While some areas are experiencing increased rainfall, others face prolonged droughts. The Americas struggled with severe drought this year, leading to devastating wildfires across parts of western United States, Canada, and the Amazon basin—typically one of Earth’s wettest environments. Over 400,000 fire incidents were recorded across South America between January and September, creating choking smoke clouds over the continent.
With drought and food insecurity looming large, the World Food Programme noted 26 million people across southern Africa were at risk of hunger, facing the consequences of extended drought conditions.
The cost of these extreme weather events has been staggering. The Zurich-based reinsurance company Swiss Re estimated global damages to reach $310 billion after accounting for weather-related fatalities and the resulting economic fallout. Damage from flooding in Spain and the impact of hurricanes drove significant increases to this bill, particularly after over 200 lives were lost there during October flooding.
By November 1, the United States had recorded 24 weather-related disasters each causing losses exceeding $1 billion according to government reports. James D., a senior meteorologist, pointed out the significant agricultural losses Brazil suffered due to drought, costing its farming industry around $2.7 billion between June and August. Meanwhile, climate change ramifications have driven global wine production to its lowest levels since 1961, presenting challenges for the industry.
The far-reaching consequences of 2024’s extreme weather events highlight not only the devastating immediate impacts on lives and economies but also signal the urgent need for action as we navigate through this dangerous new era of climate change.
