Our planet's fever has broken 1.5°C — it's a global climate wakeup call

The temporary breach of the 1.5°C threshold serves as a warning rather than a point of no return. It highlights the need for immediate and decisive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the transition to sustainable energy systems

Global temperatures are climbing steadily, and we are edging closer to permanently exceeding 1.5°C. Picture: Victoria Jones/PA Wire

Last year, 2024, has marked a sobering milestone in the story of our planet’s climate crisis. For the first time in recorded history, the Earth’s average annual temperature has exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. This figure, often cited as a critical threshold in climate discussions, represents a warning sign for humanity and highlights the urgency of global action.

A decadal perspective