According to new research that presents evidence showing to what extent global warming has accelerated. Carbon emissions alone are on track to use up the world’s budget for keeping temperature rise below 1.5°C in only three years. This year’s data reveals a shocking increase in average daily maximum temperatures. This decade (2015-2024) has already experienced a never-before-seen jump of 1.9°C. This unnaturally swift warming trend is potentially devastating to the region’s environment. It also endangers the lives of billions of people all over the world.
The current decade (2015-2024) has already warmed by 0.31°C relative to the previous decade. This dramatic increase is a reflection of how quickly our world is changing due to climate change. The acceleration of global heating itself, the rate of this dramatic increase has skyrocketed since 2012. It has almost doubled from the levels measured during the 1970s and 1980s, emphasizing that we must take action now.
Rising Temperatures and Their Impacts
Climate disruption is caused largely by human activities, which have been primarily responsible for the unprecedented temperature increases we are already experiencing. In fact, research has found that anthropogenic warming has increased by about 0.27°C per decade during this ongoing decade. By 2024, the determined global surface temperature had risen by an average of 1.52°C. Out of this increase, 1.36°C can be attributed specifically to human activities.
Our window to remain under 1.5°C is closing fast. Never before has global warming so dramatically affected the lives of billions of people across the world,” added Prof. Joeri Rogelj. He reiterated the dire imperative to act given the precarious state of our climate.
Human-induced warming is now at alarming levels. This warming is a direct result of greenhouse gas emissions, which have continued at dangerous levels in recent years. Current estimates suggest that approximately 53 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (Gt CO2e) have been released into the atmosphere annually over the past decade.
Sea Levels on the Rise
The repercussions of rising temperatures extend beyond mere statistics. They manifest in tangible changes to the environment, particularly in sea levels. From 2019 to 2024, global mean sea levels increased by about 26 mm. This addition was more than double the historic increase of 1.8 mm per year we have experienced since the early 1900s. In reality, since 1900 this increase adds up to 25 in, highlighting how bad things have become.
Dr. Karina Von Schuckmann noted, “The ocean is storing about 91% of this excess heat driven by greenhouse gas emissions, which leads to ocean warming. Warmer waters lead to rising sea levels and intensified weather extremes, and can have devastating impacts on marine ecosystems and the communities that rely on them.”
During the big 2024 El Niño, ocean temperatures surged to record highs all over the world. This shocking development has dire implications for marine wildlife and our coastal communities.
The Urgent Need for Action
As global carbon emissions continue on this troubling trajectory, experts stress that emissions over the next decade will significantly influence how soon and how fast the world reaches the critical threshold of 1.5°C. Our central estimate shows that we have just 130 billion tons of CO2 remaining in our carbon budget. This limit would be in line with the temperature target from the beginning of 2025.
“Every small increase in warming matters, leading to more frequent, more intense weather extremes,” warned Prof. Rogelj. Emissions in the coming ten years will decide how soon and how quickly we cross the globally agreed temperature limit of 1.5°C of warming. And they must be quickly cut to align with the ambitious climate targets set out in the Paris Agreement.”
Prof. Piers Forster reiterated this concern, stating, “Our third annual edition of Indicators of Global Climate Change shows that both warming levels and rates of warming are unprecedented.”