- 2024 was the warmest year on record, reaching 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
- Even La Niña years today are hotter than past El Niño years.
- Climate change and ENSO cycles both influence global temperature trends.
Recent climate data shows that global temperatures continue to rise despite natural variations like El Niño and La Niña. The 2023-2024 El Niño event significantly contributed to record-breaking heat, but long-term greenhouse gas emissions remain the primary driver of warming.
Scientists highlight that today’s ‘cold’ years are now hotter than past ‘hot’ years, illustrating the accelerating effects of climate change. While ENSO cycles cause short-term fluctuations, the underlying trend of rising temperatures is clear.
Climate’s New Normal: Rising Heat Even in ‘Cool’ Years
The world is experiencing record-breaking warmth, with 2024 becoming the hottest year on record. This increase is influenced by both natural climate patterns, such as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and the long-term effects of human-induced climate change. Despite short-term fluctuations, the overall trajectory points toward sustained warming.
El Niño events, which cause warmer global temperatures, are occurring alongside long-term climate change, intensifying heatwaves and altering weather patterns worldwide. However, what’s even more concerning is that La Niña years, which typically bring cooler conditions, are still setting new heat benchmarks compared to previous decades.
This shift is evident in global temperature records, where even the “coldest” years today are warmer than the hottest years from just a few decades ago. The persistent increase underscores that short-term cooling phases cannot offset the broader warming trend driven by greenhouse gas emissions.
Addressing this issue requires urgent action, including cutting emissions, adopting renewable energy, and enhancing global climate policies. While natural climate cycles will continue, their impact is now being overwhelmed by the long-term consequences of human activities.
Climate change is no longer a distant threat—it is shaping the world’s temperature patterns in unprecedented ways. Even the coldest years today are hotter than past heat records, reinforcing the urgency of climate action.
“The Earth does not belong to us: we belong to the Earth.” – Chief Seattle
