Climate change has led to the loss of at least 3,700 lives and displaced millions due to 26 extreme weather events examined by two climate attribution and research organizations in 2024. These incidents represented only a small portion of the 219 events that met the criteria for climate change-related extreme weather.

A report released by World Weather Attribution (WWA) and Climate Central on friday suggested that the actual number of fatalities from extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change this year could reach tens or possibly hundreds of thousands.

The report indicated that human-driven climate change resulted in an additional average of 41 days of hazardous heat in 2024. Overall, there were 41 more days of dangerous heat globally in 2024 attributable to human-induced warming, as reported. These additional days correspond to the hottest 10% of temperatures recorded between 1991 and 2020 worldwide.

"This outcome emphadata-sizes how climate change is subjecting millions more individuals to dangerous temperatures for extended durations throughout the year as fossil fuel emissions raise global temperatures. Scientists assert that if the world does not swiftly transition away from oil, gas, and coal, the number of hazardous heat days will continue to rise annually and endanger public health," stated the report.

The elevated temperatures contributed to heatwaves, droughts, fire conditions, storms, and intense rainfall and floods throughout the year. The extreme rainfall in kerala and surrounding regions was among the 219 extreme weather events analyzed in the report. The floods that occurred in Sudan, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and chad were the most lethal from the studied events, resulting in at least 2,000 fatalities and millions displaced.

"If global warming hits 2 degrees Celsius, which may occur as early as the 2040s or 2050s, the affected regions could data-face similar episodes of heavy rainfall annually," the report warned, emphasizing how climate change is turning some events into a "new normal."

At the beginning of 2024, El Niño, the climate phenomenon associated with severe heat waves and weak monsoons in India, influenced numerous extreme events. However, the report noted that climate change had a more significant impact than El Niño in exacerbating these occurrences, including the unprecedented drought in the Amazon. This data-aligns with the observation that as the planet heats up, the effects of climate change increasingly overshadow other natural weather phenomena.

Warmer seas and air contributed to more devastating storms, such as Hurricane Helene and Typhoon Gaemi.

"Nearly everywhere on the planet, daily temperatures sufficient to pose a risk to human health have become more prevalent due to climate change. In several countries, residents are facing heightened exposure to additional weeks of heat that would reach critical levels without the influence of global warming," stated Climate Central scientist Daniel Gilford.

"We possess the knowledge and technology to transition away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy, reduce demand, and cease deforestation. We must apply these solutions and not be sidetracked by technologies like carbon dioxide removal, which will not succeed without executing all other necessary steps first," remarked WWA lead and Imperial college London senior climate science lecturer Friederike Otto.

"The solutions have been evident for several years. By 2025, every nation must intensify efforts to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy and prepare for extreme weather," she emphadata-sized.