The hottest year on record for Earth is likely to be this one, according to scientists.

Humanity is no longer alarmed by the climate crisis: scientists assert directly — it is already here. As a result, the world is facing unprecedented heatwaves, droughts, and floods. Additionally, researchers have recorded a new surge in greenhouse gas emissions, and an extreme hurricane season has hit the Earth, reports BBC.

But that’s not all. Scientists have concluded that the current year is "almost certainly" going to be the warmest on record. According to the European Climate Service, 2024 has already been marked by intense heatwaves and deadly wildfires.

The global average ground temperature for the year is expected to exceed pre-industrial levels by more than 1.5°C — making 2024 the first calendar year to surpass this threshold.

Researchers note that the record-high temperatures are primarily due to climate change driven by human activities, although other natural factors, such as El Niño, also play a role, but to a significantly lesser extent.

According to Liz Bentley, the executive director of the Royal Meteorological Society, this forecast should serve as a "wake-up call" for the entire world. This latest record sends another stark warning to governments at COP29 about the urgent need to take measures to curb further warming, scientists believe.

Observations show that global temperatures have been incredibly high during the first 10 months of 2024. Unfortunately, only an extraordinarily sharp decline in the last two months of the year could prevent a new record from being set.

Scientists believe that 2024 is likely to be at least 1.55°C warmer than pre-industrial times. It is worth noting that the pre-industrial period is considered to be from 1850 to 1900, which approximately corresponds to the time before humans began significantly warming the planet, such as through the extensive burning of fossil fuels. This forecast implies that 2024 could surpass the current record of 1.48°C, which was set just last year.

Researchers also think that the current figures signify a new milestone in global temperature records. However, it is even more alarming that 2024 could also become the first year to exceed the 1.5°C mark.

Recall that in 2015, nearly 200 countries committed to trying to limit the long-term rise in global temperature to within 1.5°C to avoid some of the most severe consequences of climate change. If the planet does surpass this threshold, it would mean that the Paris Agreement goal will become unattainable for humanity.

Concerns are also raised by the characteristics of the current year. Firstly, the warming in early 2024 was intensified by the natural weather phenomenon of El Niño. Secondly, in the past week, average global temperatures have been setting new records for this time of year daily. Thirdly, the level of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere continues to rise rapidly, leading scientists to fear new records.