If 2024 felt hotter than ever, that’s because it was—and scientists now believe we may have officially stepped into a long-term, 1.5°C warmer world.
For the first time, global temperatures for an entire calendar year averaged above the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C warming limit, sparking concerns that this isn’t just a one-off event.
“Every fraction of a degree beyond this level translates into more extreme weather, biodiversity loss, and human suffering,” warns William Ripple, a climate expert at Oregon State University.
Two new studies published in Nature Climate Change suggest that when a single year crosses this threshold, history shows the long-term breach usually follows soon after.
One study predicts we’re already in a 20-year window of sustained 1.5°C warming, meaning an official violation of the Paris target could be less than a decade away—unless drastic emissions cuts happen now.
The warning signs are everywhere. Last year’s brutal heatwaves, devastating floods, and wildfires were just a glimpse of what’s ahead.
