UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has declared the past decade as experiencing deadly heat, which he describes as evidence of climate breakdown.

The report indicates that climate change-related extreme weather could result in tens or hundreds of thousands of fatalities.

As Australia enters January 2025, severe heatwave conditions are expected, with temperatures currently 12 degrees Celsius above the national average.

This alarming trend was highlighted by Professor Mark Howden from the Australian National University, who noted that the temperatures shocked scientists.

The extreme heat is attributed to climate change, with evidence showing high temperatures persisting even during years with significant cloud cover and rainfall.

Throughout 2024, temperatures were consistently high, with April being the only notably cooler month, recording an average 0.51 degrees Celsius below normal.

Spring 2024 was the hottest on record, averaging 2 degrees Celsius above average, while August saw temperatures 3.03 degrees Celsius above the mean.

Australia recorded its second hottest year on record in 2024, with a national mean temperature 1.46 degrees Celsius above the 1961-1990 average.

Howden raised concerns about the implications of rising temperatures, including increased hospital admissions, heightened fire risks, energy system failures, and a potential rise in crime rates.

Global fossil carbon emissions reached a historic high in 2024, with atmospheric carbon dioxide levels hitting 420 parts per million.

Notably, 2024 marked the 24th consecutive year without a mean temperature cooler than the baseline, emphasizing a concerning warming trend.

Despite the extreme heat, 2024 was also the eighth wettest year on record, showcasing an unusual combination of high temperatures and significant rainfall.