Skip to content
Support Us

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Five key graphs that show 2024's spiralling climate change in Ireland and worldwide

Record levels of greenhouse gas concentrations, temperatures, rainfall and glacier loss were experienced last year.

LAST UPDATE | 19 Mar

IRREVERSIBLE HUMAN-INDUCED climate change is spiralling globally, according to the latest report from the UN’s World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

Record greenhouse gas concentrations contributed to temperatures never recorded before last year, according to the WMO’s latest State of the Climate Report. It was the warmest year on record.

Meanwhile, in Ireland, Met Éireann has revealed that there were lower-than-average levels of rainfall last year, as well as the warmest-recorded Spring

Here’s five graphs from those reports, showing the state of the climate.

1. Very dry winter and very wet summer in Ireland 

rain fall in ireland Graph detailing the levels of rainfall in different regions of the country (above) and the monthly rainfall percentages, compared to the last decade. Met Éireann Met Éireann

Met Éireann’s report, released today to coincide with the WMO’s, notes the differences in rainfall in Ireland last year compared to previous years.

Ireland experienced a very dry winter last year, compared to previous years, which included a 16-day drought in Co Cork in January. By February, a significant increase in rainfall was experienced.

The increased and persistent rain in February continued throughout Spring, leading to February, March and April recording much-higher-than-average rainfall levels. Last Spring was one of the wettest on record and included the third wettest March in Dublin.

While June and July were relatively drier than normal, temperatures were significantly lower than average as cold, Arctic air systems suppressed most rain until August, which also saw record-levels of rainfall that month.

2. Ice is still melting

glacier-cumulative-mass-balance-1950-2024 Graph showing the collective mass of glaciers on Earth, which has fallen drastically over the last number of years. WMO WMO

In the last three years, glaciers have melted faster than ever before. The WMO report states that this is particularly negative near the North Pole, Norway and Sweden.

Just two of the nearly 150 glaciers monitored by the WMO last year had any positive changes. The “exceptionally negative” impact that the warmer climate is having on glaciers could led to an increase of 1.1 metres is sea levels.

Glacier loss impacts almost every aspect of global life, including crop yields, and threatens food security and poverty prevention measures. It risks polluting clean water and species extinction and has extreme impacts on the economy.

3. Record levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

co2 Graph showing record year-on-year increases in CO2 levels in the atmosphere. WMO WMO

Record levels of greenhouse gases are in the atmosphere, according to the 2024 report.

Carbon dioxide is at 151% of pre-industrial levels, methane was recorded at 266% of pre-industrial levels while nitrous oxide was recorded at 124% of pre-industrial levels.

It is the highest amount of CO2 in the atmosphere in 2 million years and the highest levels of both methane and nitrous oxide in 800,000 years. In the last decade alone, CO2 levels have increased by 79%.

These gases are contributing to food insecurity, rising temperatures and ocean acidification and affecting marine wildlife.

4. Mean temperatures are higher than ever globally

global-mean-temperature-1850-2024 Graph showing the mean global temperature increasing between 1850 and 2024. WMO WMO

The global mean temperature increased by 1.55 degrees last year, the world’s warmest year ever. In Ireland, it was the fourth warmest year on record.

Experts are currently working on calculating where the world is in relation to the goals of the Paris climate agreement, which aims to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.

5. Global rainfall drastically changing

rain rain rain Rainfall intensity worldwide last year. WMO WMO

Extreme weather is a big feature of the WMO report on 2024. It specifically mentions flash flooding and extreme rainfall events such as the floods in Valencia, Spain last year. It also notes many events of extreme rainfall in parts of South America.

However, in comparison to the previous decade, certain parts of the world have seen rainfall patterns drastically change in a short period of time.

The report notes how these changes are having a direct impact on sea level increases. According to this year’s report, the WMO states that irreversible damage and change has been made to the world’s sea levels as a result of these changing patterns.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
91 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Jones
    Favourite John Jones
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2017, 8:26 PM

    I started cooking meals for my wife and fair play the weight flew of her , a massive transformation weight loss , walked to work and home is all she did about 40 mins a day walking , fk that running business killing yourself , educate yourself about food and proper portions and you will succeed in weight loss.

    170
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Henoll
    Favourite Brian Henoll
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2017, 8:28 PM

    “You don’t have to look like a cover model or perform like a sports star. Fitness is for everyone.”
    followed by a picture of two super fit people doing impossible pushups. That will really get others moving. not

    165
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan b..
    Favourite Alan b..
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2017, 8:46 PM

    If people took your attitude nothing would ever get done or change,do you think they always looked that fit and could always do those type of push ups?everyone ahas to start somewhere and everyone what’s different levels of fitness the more you get into it and the more results you see the further it pushes you.I for one love the buzz you get after exercise especially one you’ve pushed yourself to the limit.Get up of the couch and try those push ups you’ll be able to do them in a few days if you persist

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Carl Cautley
    Favourite Carl Cautley
    Report
    Jan 4th 2017, 4:03 PM

    @Brian Henoll: You are right Brian, not the best choice of picture, however, hopefully you found the article of some benefit.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute saoirse janneau
    Favourite saoirse janneau
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2017, 9:08 PM

    “Commit to making fitness a part of your life rather than a means to an end”. Very good advice. People fail if they try and focus on the latter only.

    52
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Duffy
    Favourite Stephen Duffy
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2017, 9:28 PM

    There is a lot of truth in the saying “no pain; no gain” Parts of the body should be sore after a good workout, or you’re not doing it right, unless you’re an elite athlete of course..

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute A H
    Favourite A H
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 12:02 AM

    Yes and don’t start on January 1st like all these dumb articles year after year after vomit inducing regurgitated year. Just lay off the cake all year round and move a bit more.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pharmyco
    Favourite Pharmyco
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 1:23 PM

    @A H:

    So, you could say, Less Cake, More Exercise

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Connor
    Favourite Declan Connor
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2017, 11:01 PM

    But thats the problem isnt it? Keeping focused and not giving in the first or second week. I think your absolutely right and i also think beyond the health benifits it helps you set and maintain goals and objectives through organisation and structure.

    9
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a comment

 
cancel reply
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds