Last year's record temperatures may signal that the world has entered an era of global warming exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels - a threshold set by the Paris Agreement. 

Scientists have warned that crossing this threshold will lead to more extreme weather events such as floods, heatwaves and storms, as well as gradual changes such as sea level rise and species extinctions.

Two recent studies published in Nature Climate Change analysed temperatures in 2024 and pointed out that this could be the first year that global temperatures exceed 1.5°C, indicating a long-term shift. While a single year above the limit does not violate the Paris Agreement, which measures global warming over 20-30 years, it could signal that the Earth has entered a 20-year warming period at or above that level. 

Unless drastic emissions cuts are made, the world could officially breach the Paris target within the next decade.

Studies have stressed the urgency of tackling climate change, with experts calling for immediate action to avoid the worst consequences. Catastrophic natural disasters have already been recorded in 2024, including $310 billion in damage from storms, floods and fires. Scientists warn that if the 1.5°C limit is exceeded, ecosystems such as coral reefs could face serious decline and Arctic ice could reach irreversible melt.

The continuing rise in temperatures, as evidenced by Europe's record hot January, shows no sign of slowing and experts warn that without swift action the world could soon find itself permanently in a new climate era marked by escalating risks and widespread destruction.| BGNES