2024: The Hottest Year on Record, According to NASA

According to an analysis conducted by NASA scientists, 2024 was the hottest year on record for Earth’s average surface temperature. Global temperatures in 2024 were approximately 1.28 degrees Celsius (2.30 degrees Fahrenheit) above the agency’s 20th-century baseline (1951-1980), surpassing the previous record set in 2023.

Scientists Confirm the Impact of Greenhouse Gases on Global Warming

Scientists have concluded that the warming trend observed in recent decades is primarily caused by the accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In 2022 and 2023, Earth experienced record levels of CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels, according to a recent international analysis. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has risen from approximately 278 parts per million (ppm) in the pre-industrial 18th century to about 420 ppm today.

NASA scientists also estimate that in 2024, Earth was approximately 1.47 degrees Celsius (2.65 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than the mid-19th century average (1850-1900). The Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) is responsible for managing NASA’s surface temperature data.

Map of Earth in 2024 shows global surface temperature anomalies,

Global Temperatures and Natural Climate Variations

The global temperatures of a given year can be influenced by natural climate variations, such as El Niño and La Niña, which alternately warm or cool the tropical Pacific Ocean. The strong El Niño that began in fall 2023 contributed to pushing global temperatures beyond previous records, further intensifying the impact of climate change.

Source

The video can be downloaded here, and you can find a NASA article published on 01/10/2025 here.