Climate change is no longer a distant threat lurking on the horizon. It’s here, and it's actively reshaping our world in dramatic and often devastating ways.

The year 2024 stands as a stark testament to this reality, a year punctuated by a relentless barrage of extreme weather events that have left a trail of destruction and suffering across the globe.

From scorching heatwaves that shattered temperature records to torrential floods that inundated entire cities, the fingerprints of climate change were undeniably evident.

A world ablaze: Heatwaves and wildfires

One of the most visible and terrifying manifestations of climate change in 2024 was the unprecedented surge in wildfires. Fuelled by prolonged droughts and tinder-dry vegetation, massive infernos erupted across continents, consuming millions of acres of forests, grasslands, and homes.

Canada

In the summer of 2024, Canada experienced its worst wildfire season on record. Massive fires raged across the country, blanketing major cities like Toronto and Montreal in thick smoke, forcing evacuations, and causing widespread respiratory problems. The fires released an estimated 1.4 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, further exacerbating climate change.

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Greece

The idyllic Greek island of Rhodes was transformed into a fiery inferno as wildfires swept across the island, fuelled by strong winds and scorching temperatures. Thousands of tourists and residents were forced to flee their homes and hotels, seeking refuge on beaches and in makeshift shelters. The fires caused extensive damage to the island's infrastructure and natural beauty.

Amazon Rainforest

The Amazon, often referred to as the "lungs of the planet," experienced a surge in deforestation and wildfires, driven by illegal logging and land clearing for agriculture. These fires not only released vast amounts of carbon dioxide but also threatened the rainforest's biodiversity and the livelihoods of indigenous communities.

Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia baked under record-breaking heatwaves in 2024, with temperatures exceeding 45°C (113°F) and heat indices surpassing 50°C (122°F). These extreme conditions caused widespread heatstroke, agricultural losses, water shortages, and strained energy systems, highlighting the urgent need for climate adaptation and mitigation measures in the region.

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Deluges and destruction: Floods submerge communities

While wildfires raged in some parts of the world, others were inundated by torrential rains and devastating floods.

India

In 2024, the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand in India was hit by catastrophic floods triggered by heavy monsoon rainfall. Flash floods and landslides swept away entire villages, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming hundreds of lives. The floods also damaged critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and power lines, leaving communities isolated and vulnerable.

California

The typically sunny state of California was battered by a series of atmospheric rivers, narrow corridors of concentrated moisture in the atmosphere. These "rivers in the sky" dumped record amounts of rain, causing widespread flooding, mudslides, and power outages. The storms caused billions of dollars in damage and disrupted lives across the state.

The Philippines

Six consecutive typhoons, including one supertyphoon, battered various parts of the Philippines during its monsoon season. It was an unusual phenomenon that dumped record amounts of rainfall, flooding both urban and rural areas in the Southeast Asian country. Experts believe that this unusual number of typhoons hitting the country consecutively is caused by climate change.

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The Lancet Countdown: A grim prognosis

The Lancet Countdown, a comprehensive annual analysis tracking the health impacts of climate change, reported a grim picture of the growing threats to human health and wellbeing. The 2024 report highlighted the following key findings:

Record-breaking heatwaves

Extreme heat events became more frequent and intense, with people worldwide enduring an average of 80 additional days of scorching temperatures compared to historical averages. This led to a surge in heat-related illnesses, particularly among vulnerable populations like the elderly, children, and outdoor workers.

Spread of infectious diseases

Climate change is expanding the geographic range and seasonality of vector-bourne diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus. Warmer temperatures and altered rainfall patterns create more favourable conditions for disease-carrying mosquitoes and other vectors to thrive.

Food insecurity and malnutrition

Changes in weather patterns, including droughts, floods, and extreme temperatures, are disrupting agricultural production and threatening food security in many regions. This is leading to increased malnutrition and hunger, particularly in developing countries.

Mental health impacts

Extreme weather events and the chronic stress of living with the constant threat of climate change are taking a toll on mental health. Rates of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are on the rise in communities impacted by climate disasters.

The economic toll: A heavy price to pay

The economic consequences of climate change are also becoming increasingly apparent. The Lancet Countdown report revealed a 23% increase in average annual economic losses from extreme weather events between the early 2010s and 2020s.

These losses, amounting to an estimated $350 billion annually, are placing a significant strain on national economies and hindering sustainable development.

Beyond the immediate economic costs, climate change also impacts productivity and livelihoods. In 2023 alone, heat exposure resulted in a record loss of 512 billion potential work hours, translating to $835 billion in potential income losses.

This highlights the far-reaching consequences of climate change, affecting not only physical health but also economic stability and well-being.

The time for decisive action is now

Despite the alarming trends and mounting evidence, global emissions remain dangerously high. The world is currently on track for a temperature increase of 2.7 degrees Celsius by 2100, far exceeding the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees. This trajectory could have catastrophic and irreversible consequences for the planet and its inhabitants.

While recent climate conferences have seen financial commitments to assist developing countries in coping with climate change impacts, the funding gap remains substantial. Experts estimate that developing countries need at least $1 trillion annually to effectively address the challenges posed by climate change, far exceeding the $300 billion pledged by 2035.

Perhaps most concerning is the misdirection of financial resources. While trillions of dollars are poured into fossil fuel subsidies, investment in climate solutions and renewable energy lags far behind.

Redirecting these subsidies towards clean energy and sustainable initiatives could be a game-changer, mitigating the health and economic impacts of climate change while fostering a more equitable and sustainable future.

The impacts of climate change are not evenly distributed. Developing countries and marginalised communities are often the most vulnerable to the effects of extreme weather events and have the fewest resources to adapt. Leaders must provide financial and technical assistance to help these communities build resilience and cope with the challenges of climate change.

The year 2024 served as a wake-up call, a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the climate crisis. We have the knowledge, the technology, and the resources to avert the worst impacts of climate change. What we need now is the political will and the collective action to make it happen. The time for decisive action is now, before it's too late.