A new report by an international team of scientists – 15,000 scientists from 150 countries – states that climatic conditions have worsened. The report shows twenty-five of thirty-five planetary vital signs are at record extremes. For example, greenhouse gas emissions are still rising, the world is using more oil and coal, and oceans are becoming more acidic and warmer.

The report reviews recent climate-related disasters, spotlights climate-related topics and discusses needed policy interventions. “We are on the brink of an irreversible climate disaster. This is without a doubt a global emergency,” the researchers say.

‘Perilous Times’

The report ‘The 2024 State of the Climate Report: Perilous Times on Planet Earth’ published in BioScience indicates the Earth’s highest-ever recorded average surface temperature, ocean heat content, and average global sea levels. It also reveals record lows in Greenland and Antarctic ice mass and average glacier thickness.

The report calls for large-scale climate change mitigation and adaptation to limit further impacts. The researchers recommend adopting policies to implement a global carbon price, enhance energy efficiency, curb greenhouse gas emissions, protect ecosystems, promote sustainable economics, incorporate climate education, and encourage a shift toward plant-based diets.

Global warming

The report is published in the run-up to the United Nations climate summit in November. At the previous climate summit in Paris in 2015, participating countries agreed to keep global warming below 2°C, preferably at a maximum of 1.5°C. However, 2024 will probably be the first year global temperatures rise above 1.5°C. By the end of this century, the temperature is estimated to be 2.7 degrees higher.

About 200,000 babies are born daily, increasing pressure on the planet and the climate. The lifestyle in more prosperous countries, particularly, leads to significant global warming, while the population in poorer countries is growing. “Some billionaires have higher emissions than entire third world countries.”

CO2 and methane

Never before has the global meat consumption been so high. The unprecedented increase in livestock numbers is problematic. All those animals need food and produce emissions.

CO2 and methane concentrations in the air are at record highs, and methane emissions are also increasing at an accelerated pace. The accelerated emissions are mainly a result of growing livestock numbers, more steaming garbage dumps in India and Africa, and tropical wetlands that emit more gases at warmer temperatures.

Turning point

Ocean temperature and acidity are at record extremes, leading to less biodiversity and more intense storms. Scientists expect all coral reefs to be ‘as good as dead’ within fifty years.

Many climate systems have a turning point. Once that is over, return is no longer possible, and the climate effects will only intensify. The authors see 28 turning points, of which the melting permafrost worries them most.