Decade of deadly heat ends with record year as world warned of ‘road to ruin’
The IndependentSign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The world has endured a “decade of deadly heat”, with 2024 capping 10 years of unprecedented temperatures, the UN has warned. In his new year message, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said the 10 hottest years on record have happened in the last decade, including 2024. open image in gallery Bar chart showing the difference in annual global temperatures above the 1850-1900 average Mr Guterres said: “I can officially report that we have just endured a decade of deadly heat. Wildfires wreaked devastation.” The WMO pointed to a new report that found climate change intensified 26 of the 29 extreme weather events studied by World Weather Attribution in 2024, which killed at least 3,700 people and displaced millions.