As we bid farewell to 2024, it’s impossible to ignore the unprecedented toll that climate change has taken on our world. This year marked the hottest in recorded history, with record-breaking temperatures in both the atmosphere and oceans fueling extreme weather events across the globe. According to World Weather Attribution (WWA), nearly every disaster analysed in 2024 was exacerbated by climate change. Climate scientist Friederike Otto put it briefly: “The impacts of fossil fuel warming have never been clearer or more devastating than in 2024. We are living in a dangerous new era.”
Heat Waves
Extreme heat claimed thousands of lives in 2024, from the 1,300 fatalities during the Muslim hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia—where temperatures soared to 51.8°C (125°F)—to deadly heatwaves in Thailand, India, and the United States. In Mexico, conditions were so severe that howler monkeys fell dead from trees, while Pakistan shut down schools as temperatures exceeded 50°C. Greece experienced its earliest heatwave, which closed its iconic Acropolis and caused devastating wildfires. Europe as a whole endured its hottest summer on record.
Floods
Warmer oceans, driven by climate change, have led to higher evaporation rates and increased atmospheric moisture, resulting in heavier rainfall and catastrophic flooding worldwide. The United Arab Emirates saw two years’ worth of rain in a single day in April, turning parts of the desert into a temporary sea. Kenya suffered back-to-back disasters, shifting from a historic drought to the worst floods in decades. West and Central Africa experienced catastrophic flooding that killed over 1,500 people and left four million in need of aid.
Europe, too, faced its share of devastation, particularly in Spain’s Valencia region, where the October floods claimed more than 200 lives. In Nigeria, persistent rains triggered widespread flooding across 31 states, causing hundreds of deaths, injuring thousands, and displacing over 1.2 million people. The collapse of the Alau Dam in Borno State alone killed 150 people and displaced 419,000.
Cyclones
Warmer ocean surfaces provided additional energy for tropical cyclones in 2024, intensifying their destructive power. The Atlantic hurricane season brought major hurricanes, including Milton, Beryl, and Helene, which wreaked havoc across the United States and the Caribbean. In Southeast Asia, the Philippines endured six major storms in November, compounding the destruction left by Typhoon Yagi just months earlier. In December, Cyclone Chino—fueled by climate change—slammed into Mayotte, devastating one of France’s poorest overseas territories.
Droughts and Wildfires
While some regions faced torrential rains, others suffered from crippling droughts. Severe drought-parched much of the Americas, with wildfires torching millions of hectares in the western United States, Canada, and the Amazon basin. By September, over 400,000 fires had been recorded across South America, enveloping the continent in smoke. Meanwhile, according to the World Food Programme, southern Africa’s months-long drought left 26 million people at risk of hunger.
The Economic and Human Toll
The human cost of these disasters is immeasurable, but the economic cost highlights the massive scale of the destruction. Swiss Re, a Zurich-based reinsurance giant, estimated global damages at $310 billion as of December. In the United States alone, 24 weather disasters each caused over $1 billion in damages by November. Flooding in Valencia and hurricanes like Helene and Milton were among the most costly events, while Brazil’s drought inflicted $2.7 billion in agricultural losses. Even global wine production fell to its lowest level since 1961 due to “climatic challenges.”
Nigeria
Nigeria demonstrated the varied effects of climate change in 2024. Heavy rainfall—worsened by global warming—triggered catastrophic flooding that affected 31 states. Poor drainage systems, rising sea levels, and silt buildup in rivers compounded the crisis, causing hundreds of deaths and massive displacement. In Lagos, floods destroyed buildings and disrupted education, while Borno State’s dam collapse submerged communities and displaced nearly half a million people. Nigeria’s experience shows how human and natural factors combine to worsen climate change impacts.
A Call to Action
The disasters of 2024 are a stark reminder of the urgent need for global action to combat climate change. As we reflect on this year of extremes, let us commit to adopting greener habits for a more sustainable future. From reducing fossil fuel dependence to investing in resilient infrastructure, every step counts in mitigating the impacts of our warming world. For actionable tips on how to make a difference, check out our previous article on simple habits for a greener 2025.
Together, we can work towards a future where such devastating climate disasters become a thing of the past.
Great read 🫰