New research reveals that climate change caused by human activities has added an average of 41 extra days of dangerous heat in 2024, posing serious risks to human health and ecosystems. The joint report by World Weather Attribution (WWA) and Climate Central urges countries to prepare for worsening climate risks to minimize damage in the future.
The study highlights that climate change intensified 26 out of 29 major weather events in 2024, resulting in over 3,700 deaths and the displacement of millions. These events included deadly floods, hurricanes, droughts, and wildfires. The report also pointed out that climate change had a stronger influence than El Niño on many of these extreme events.
WWA’s lead researcher, Friederike Otto, emphasized that the impact of fossil fuel-driven climate change has never been more evident, describing 2024 as a “dangerous new era.” She stressed that the only way to mitigate the worsening situation is to stop burning fossil fuels and accelerate the transition to cleaner energy sources.
The report warns that if the world doesn’t quickly move away from oil, gas, and coal, dangerous heat days will continue to rise, further endangering public health. The researchers call for urgent actions such as reducing fossil fuel dependence, improving climate adaptation efforts, and providing financial support to vulnerable countries.
Experts argue that 2025 must be a turning point, with nations stepping up efforts to reduce emissions and better prepare for climate impacts to avoid more catastrophic weather events.
