2024 could be the hottest year on record

Ahmed, Unsplash
According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), November 2024 was the second warmest November on record with a global average temperature of 14.10°C, 0.73°C above the 1991-2020 average. The year 2024 is highly likely to be the hottest year on the planet, with temperatures more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Air temperature:
- Global: November's temperature is 1.62°C above pre-industrial levels.
- Europe: Average temperature 5.14°C, 0.78°C above normal, but not in the top 10 warmest Novembers.
- Above average: northern Russia, northeastern and southwestern Europe, eastern Canada, China, Pakistan.
- Lower than average: western United States, eastern Russia, most of Antarctica.
Sea surface temperature:
- Ocean average temperature 20.58°C, the second highest for November.
- Arctic: third lowest ice level for November.
- Antarctica: lowest sea ice level for November, 10% below normal.
According to C3S Deputy Director Samantha Burgess, the data points to the need for stronger climate action: "2024 is the first calendar year with temperatures more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. This emphasises the urgency of taking ambitious action on climate change."
Global warming continues to change the climate system, requiring the world community to act quickly and decisively.