The year 2024 went down in history as the hottest recorded on the planet. The average temperature has increased by 1.5°C compared to the pre-industrial period. This figure seemed unlikely a few decades ago. At first glance, this looks like just a statistic, but behind it is a serious threat. Such a temperature record signals that humanity is already on the brink of a climate crisis, the consequences of which may be irreversible. Global warming is changing the nature of our environment and at the same time provoking more frequent droughts, hurricanes, fires, melting glaciers and rising global ocean levels. How might these changes affect each of us?
The world is on the brink of a climate crisis
Rising temperatures affect every aspect of life on Earth. Melting glaciers accelerate the rise of ocean levels, which threatens to flood coastal cities and entire countries. Droughts are becoming longer and rains more intense, leading to infrastructure destruction and crop losses. In Australia, for example, large-scale fires are already being recorded, while in South Asia, rains are causing deadly floods.
Countries that are located closer to the equator are at risk of losing habitable territories, and the global water shortage may become a new catalyst for international conflicts.
For data climate service of the European Union Copernicus, an alarming record of a temperature increase of 1.5 °C in 2024 was recorded. The temperature was 1.6°C higher than during the period 1850–1900, when fossil fuels began to be widely used. Data from the Met Office of Great Britain indicate that the average temperature for 2024 was 1.53°C. It is alarming that for the first time in history the annual average temperature of the planet has exceeded the threshold set by the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015 as critical to avoiding the worst effects of climate change.
Experts’ forecasts are also disappointing, because 2025 promises to be one of the warmest in history. After all, the maximum concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is already recorded (422 parts per million).
High global temperatures combined with record global levels of water vapor in the atmosphere in 2024 caused unprecedented heat and heavy precipitation, affecting almost every country in the world. So, a record 44% of the planet suffered from heat stress. It is climate change that has caused floods in Valencia, hurricanes in the US, typhoons in the Philippines and drought in the Amazon.
In just a few months last year, Europe experienced a wave of extraordinary natural disasters. Forest fires that broke out in the Mediterranean region destroyed thousands of hectares of forests, leaving many people homeless. Rivers that have traditionally been a source of life for the region are now drying up, and extremely high temperatures in Italy and Spain are reaching record highs. In the northern regions of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, excessive rains caused catastrophic floods that washed away entire cities. A merciless cyclone “Boris” raged through Europe, which brought with it heavy rains, wind, and in some regions, even snowfall. Yes, the cities of Jeseník and Opava in the Czech Republic went under water like Atlantis. The Opava River overflowed its banks, flooding the homes of thousands of residents on its way. In Jesenyuk, hundreds of people were evacuated using helicopters and boats. Heavy rain and wind left more than 63,000 households without electricity. Germany did not have time to recover from the consequences of a large-scale flood in June, when the threat of rising water levels in the Danube in the Passau area, in the tributary of the Danube Filse and in the river Isar near Munich loomed again. The German Meteorological Service (DWD) is predicting the first heavy snowfalls of the year, with up to 50 centimeters of snow expected in regions above 1,500 meters.
According to the World Weather Attribution (WWA) and Climate Central, the island nations were the most destructive during 150 days of dangerous heat.
For data According to the World Risk Index in WorldRiskReport 2024, the countries of Asia, East Africa and North and South America topped the rating of the most dangerous countries in the world due to natural disasters. Thus, the top ten leaders included:
- Philippines – 46.91;
- Indonesia – 41.13
- India – 40.96;
- Colombia – 37.81;
- Mexico – 35.93;
- Myanmar – 35.85;
- Mozambique – 34, 44;
- Russia – 28.12;
- Bangladesh – 27.73;
- Pakistan – 27.02.
High rates tend to be less developed countries that regularly experience cyclones, floods, droughts or earthquakes. In many European countries, the similar risk of natural disasters is lower. For example, in Poland it is 4.74, and in Germany – 4.1.
In the United States, which is constantly affected by hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes, this figure is 22.6, which is very high.
Ukraine ranks 94th in this rating and has an average risk level of 4.41. This indicator indicates the fact that, although natural disasters are quite rare for Ukraine, this does not reduce the impact of risks from their consequences for the country. Therefore, the vulnerability index of the country is 40, 55.
How global warming is changing Ukraine
For Ukraine, the consequences of climate change are particularly acute. Rising temperatures have already affected the country’s ecosystems. Forests in the north are drying up, and the Carpathians are suffering from the invasion of pests that have appeared due to mild winters. The forest is gradually turning into a steppe, and black soils are losing their fertility due to soil erosion.
Changes in the water balance are also critical. The water level in the Dnieper and other large rivers is decreasing, which threatens the shortage of water for agriculture and drinking water supply. For example, in August 2024, as a result of abnormal heat and a sharp drop in the water level in the river, a decrease in the concentration of oxygen in the water was recorded, which led to the mass death of fish on the Ros River in Bila Tserkva.
According to the information of the State Emergency Service, in the summer of 2024, there was a significant increase in the number of fires of various types due to a significant increase in temperature. Dry grass, bushes, forests, garbage, buildings and even residential buildings had to be extinguished. 36 fires were recorded in one Mykolaiv Oblast alone.
This summer in Ukraine was marked not only by flurries of record heat, but also by powerful downpours. This situation led to:
- local location of crops;
- shedding of fruits and berries from trees and bushes;
- spread of fungal diseases on plants.
All this significantly undermines the economy, which depends on agriculture.
During the summer, specialists of the Ukrhydrometeorological center recorded the heating of the soil surface to plus 56-69°С. And the soil temperature at a depth of 10 cm reached plus 25 °C and higher. This had a negative impact on the yield of sugar beets, potatoes and garden crops.
It is also worth noting that permanent magnetic storms caused by changes in the composition of the atmosphere seriously affect people’s health, provoking headaches, increased fatigue and cardiovascular diseases.
How climate change has affected the course of history
Climate change is not a unique phenomenon of our time. Throughout the history of the planet, global and regional climate changes have repeatedly changed the lives of peoples, caused large migrations, the collapse of empires, and even the emergence of new civilizations.
In the period from 1300 to 1850, Europe, North America and Asia experienced a significant cooling, which was called the “Little Ice Age”. Rivers that had never frozen before (for example, the Thames in London) became covered with ice. Winters became much colder, crops died, which led to mass starvation. For example, the Great Famine of 1315–1317, caused by cold and rain, reduced the population of Europe by millions. The freezing of rivers in China led to migrations, while the deterioration of agricultural conditions contributed to the change of dynasties.
Before the Little Ice Age, the Earth experienced a period of warming that had a noticeable effect on various regions. During the warm period, the Vikings were able to colonize Greenland and Iceland because the climate allowed agriculture in these regions. At the same time, they explored America, which they called Vinland. A warmer climate contributed to increased harvests, population growth, and urban development. However, with the onset of cooling in the 14th century, the Viking colonies in Greenland disappeared.
One of the most mysterious historical disasters is the decline of the Mayan civilization, which at the peak of its development built grandiose cities in Central America. Scientists believe that a series of long droughts was one of the key reasons for their decline. The drought destroyed water supplies and reduced the yield of corn, the main food product. This led to internal conflicts, migration and abandonment of cities.
In 1815, the Tambora volcano erupted on the island of Sumbawa (Indonesia), one of the largest in history. Ash emissions blocked sunlight so tightly that 1816 went down in history as the “year without summer.” Because of the cold summer, crops died, famine began. In the USA, this caused a wave of migration of people to the west in search of better conditions.
During the Yuan Dynasty, China experienced a large-scale drought that destroyed crops and led to mass starvation. It was the drought that became the catalyst for peasant uprisings that eventually undermined the power of the Mongol dynasty in the region.
History shows that climate change has always had a profound effect on humanity. They changed political structures, destroyed states and stimulated new discoveries. Today we face global challenges, and our actions will determine whether we are ready for change or repeat the mistakes of the past.
What prospects
Scientists warn that unless we cut greenhouse gas emissions in the next 10 years, temperatures could rise by another 1°C by the end of the century. This will lead to mass extinction of species, critical changes in natural landscapes and mass migration of people. All states must unite and take effective action to prevent a catastrophe.
According to Dr. Friederike Otto, co-director of the WWA, the effects of fossil fuel-driven warming have never been more obvious and devastating. Therefore, reducing emissions and switching to renewable energy sources, reducing dependence on fossil fuels can become an important step towards solving the problem. The ecosystem of the world needs serious protection in the form of nature reserves and measures to restore forests and swamps. The implementation of modern irrigation and water purification systems will be able to prevent a water shortage crisis on the planet.
However, it is clear that it all starts with awareness, which can only be achieved by raising awareness of environmental issues and changing consumption habits among the population. Ukraine has a huge potential for the development of green energy, which can help not only reduce emissions, but also strengthen the economy. However, these initiatives require political will, international cooperation and the support of citizens.
The year 2024 went down in history not only as the hottest year, but also as a year of alarming warnings for humanity. A temperature increase of 1.5°C seems insignificant, but it is these seemingly small changes that can set off a chain reaction that will turn our planet into a dangerous place for life. A change in the water balance, the destruction of ecosystems, the strengthening of magnetic storms and climatic disasters — all this threatens the security of Ukraine and the world as a whole.
History has repeatedly demonstrated how even small climatic shifts lead to famine, migrations, economic collapses and the decline of civilizations. These lessons of the past cannot be ignored! Without immediate action, global warming will leave a devastating legacy for our descendants, who will be forced to struggle to survive in the conditions we leave them.
