The year 2024 saw the fastest annual increases in CO₂ concentrations since direct measurements began, and the highest levels of methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) in recorded history. This record increase led to a temporary breach of the 1.5°C threshold in 2024 and an increase in greenhouse gas radiative forcing of more than 50 % since 1990. The impacts include extreme weather events, global ocean warming, and significant health risks for both ecosystems and people. Fossil fuel combustion and massive forest fires remain the main sources of emissions, with global carbon emissions reaching new highs with no signs of slowing. Achieving the Paris goals requires immediate and deep emission reductions, protection of natural carbon sinks, and deployment of CO₂ capture and storage.

📈 Record increases in greenhouse gases

Between January 1, 2023 and January 1, 2024, global CO₂ concentrations increased by 2.83 ± 0.08 ppm, one of the highest annual increases in NOAA's measurement history since 1958. NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory.
Atmospheric CO₂ levels reached about 420 ppm in 2023, 151 ppm above pre-industrial levels in 1750, according to the World Meteorological Organization. Methane (CH₄) reached 265 ppm above pre-industrial levels and nitrous oxide (N₂O) reached 124 ppm, which together with CO₂ account for most of the increase in radiative forcing. World Meteorological Organization.
Between 2022 and 2024, the largest two-year increase in CO₂ concentration at the Mauna Loa Observatory in the history of measurements occurred, reflecting an accelerating rate of increase NOAA.

🩺 Impact on Earth's health and human health

Increased radiative forcing by greenhouse gases increased by 51.5 % from 1990 to 2023, amplifying global warming and extreme weather library.wmo.int.
2024 became the warmest year in NOAA's observational history, with a deviation of +1.29 °C above the 1901–2000 average ncei.noaa.gov.
Increased temperatures are contributing to more frequent and intense heat waves, which, according to the WHO, increase mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
Ocean warming – trapping 90 % of the Earth system’s excess heat – is leading to rising sea levels, acidifying water and damaging coral reefs ncei.noaa.gov.

🔥 Main reasons for the increase

The dominant source is the burning of coal, oil and natural gas, which releases millions of tonnes of CO₂ per day. Large-scale forest fires, partly driven by extreme heat and drought, are also increasing methane and CO₂ emissions, with forest fire emissions exceeding the 10-year average by 16 % in 2023. There is also a negative feedback loop from melting permafrost, which releases ancient organic carbon in the form of methane and CO₂ research.noaa.gov.
The global increase in the use and leakage of methane from oil and gas networks is also contributing to the increase in emissions. NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory.

⚠️ Historical milestones and alarming values

CO₂ concentrations are now at their highest in at least 800,000 years, confirmed by the WMO based on ice cores. For the first time on record, global temperatures temporarily exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels in 2024, raising concerns about the sustainability of the Paris Agreement. The combination of extreme temperatures accelerating glacier loss and rising sea levels has not been seen in 175 years.

🛠️ The path to recovery

International agreements must establish legally binding and ambitious targets for reducing fossil fuel emissions, including phasing out coal-fired power generation. World Meteorological Organization.
Protecting and restoring forests, wetlands and other natural carbon sinks are essential to sequester hundreds of millions of tonnes of CO₂ annually. Carbon capture (CCS) and direct CO₂ removal (DAC) technologies must be deployed industrially and massively funded library.wmo.int.
A critical shift to renewable energy sources – solar, wind, geothermal – requires trillions in investment and political will in every country. NOAA.

⏳ Record increases in greenhouse gases combined with extreme warming in 2024 are a clear signal that the Earth is approaching dangerous climate thresholds. Without immediate and large-scale global action to reduce emissions, protect natural reservoirs, and innovate technologies, the risk of irreversible changes – from rising sea levels to massive health crises – is increasing exponentially. The time to act is now. Spring