Climate change has been characterized by a range of extreme weather patterns, including rising global temperatures and wetter-than-average conditions. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), 2024 was the warmest year on record, but the heat is expected to rise in the next five years.

The WMO’s Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update warns that global temperatures will likely continue rising, with an 80 per cent chance that at least one year between now and 2029 will be even hotter.

The report finds a staggering 86 per cent chance that world average temperatures will exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels in at least one of the next five years, and a one per cent chance of one of those years exceeding 2°C of warming.

The World Meteorological Organization stressed that the 1.5°C Paris Agreement target refers to long-term averages over 20 years, meaning its threshold has not been breached quite yet.

However, there is a 70 per cent chance that the five-year average itself will exceed this 1.5-degree threshold, according to the report, a warning sign of an accelerating climate crisis.

The forecast also highlights regional precipitation impacts, including wetter-than-average conditions expected in the African Sahel, northern Europe, and South Asia. Conversely, the Amazon region could see continued drought.

Consequences

Here are the key consequences of global temperature rise:

1. More Frequent and Severe Heatwaves

• Longer and hotter heatwaves threaten human health, especially for the elderly and vulnerable populations.
• Increases the risk of wildfires in dry areas.

2. Melting Ice and Rising Sea Levels

• Glaciers and polar ice caps are melting, contributing to sea level rise.
• Coastal communities face increased flooding, land loss, and displacement.

3. Ocean Warming and Acidification

• Warmer oceans disrupt marine ecosystems and coral reefs.
• Increased CO₂ absorption causes ocean acidification, harming shellfish and plankton.

4. Disrupted Weather Patterns

• More intense storms, hurricanes, and unpredictable rainfall.
• Wetter areas may experience flooding; drier regions may suffer more droughts.

5. Agricultural and Food Security Impacts

• Heat stress reduces crop yields and livestock productivity.
• Changes in rainfall patterns disrupt planting and harvesting cycles.

6. Biodiversity Loss

• Many species are unable to adapt or migrate fast enough.
• Ecosystems like coral reefs and alpine habitats are at high risk.

7. Human Health Risks

• Increased spread of heat-related illnesses and vector-borne diseases (like malaria and dengue).
• Poor air quality from heat and pollution worsens respiratory issues.

8. Economic and Social Strain

• Damage to infrastructure from extreme weather.
• Increased pressure on water, food, and energy systems can lead to conflict and migration.

Experts and policymakers have urged immediate action to reduce emissions and avoid irreversible climate tipping points.

“We are on a highway to climate hell with our foot still on the accelerator. A window of opportunity remains open, but only a narrow shaft of light remains,” says António Guterres, UN Secretary-General.

Read Also: IGAD-ICPAC Forecast Indicate Above-Normal Rainfall and Elevated Temperatures