Last decade was Earth's hottest ever as CO2 levels reach an 800,000-year high, says UN report

Yahoo! News - Mar 19th, 2025
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The World Meteorological Organization's State of the Climate report revealed that 2024 was the hottest year on record, with carbon dioxide levels reaching an 800,000-year high. The report highlighted increasing global temperatures, rising sea levels, and rapidly retreating glaciers as distress signals from our planet. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned that achieving the 1.5°C warming limit is still possible, urging leaders to embrace renewable energy. Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, were primarily blamed for global heating, with the El Niño phenomenon contributing to record-breaking temperatures.

The report underscores the severe consequences of climate change, citing 151 unprecedented extreme weather events in 2024, resulting in the highest levels of displacement in 16 years, worsening food crises, and significant economic losses. Amid these alarming findings, U.S. President Donald Trump has rolled back climate commitments, raising concerns about global efforts to reduce emissions. Climate activists, including Brenda Ekwurzel and Vanessa Nakate, emphasize the urgency of phasing out fossil fuels to mitigate further damage, while the scientific community continues to advocate for transparency and decisive action against climate change.

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RATING

8.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article excels in providing accurate and timely information on climate change, supported by credible sources such as the World Meteorological Organization and NASA. It effectively communicates the urgency of the climate crisis, reinforcing the need for immediate action. While the article is well-balanced in presenting scientific perspectives, it could benefit from including more diverse viewpoints, particularly regarding policy debates. The language and structure are clear, making complex information accessible to a general audience. Overall, the article serves as a compelling piece that informs and engages readers on a critical global issue.

RATING DETAILS

9
Accuracy

The story accurately reports that last year was the hottest on record, aligning with NASA's confirmation of 2024 as the warmest year. The claim that the top 10 hottest years were within the past decade is consistent with scientific data. Assertions about CO2 levels reaching an 800,000-year high also hold up against scientific findings. The article correctly attributes global heating primarily to human activities, with El Niño contributing to short-term temperature spikes. However, the specific number of 'unprecedented' weather events in 2024 requires further verification, although the trend of increasing extreme events is well-documented.

8
Balance

The article presents a strong focus on scientific perspectives regarding climate change, primarily emphasizing the views of climate organizations and experts. It includes statements from the UN Secretary-General and climate activists, which provide a comprehensive view of the urgency and implications of climate change. However, it briefly mentions U.S. policy rollbacks without providing a detailed counter-perspective from those who might support such policies. This slight imbalance could be addressed by including more diverse viewpoints on climate policy.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the key points about climate change. The language is straightforward, making complex scientific information accessible to a general audience. However, some statements, such as the number of 'unprecedented' weather events, could benefit from additional context or explanation to enhance understanding.

9
Source quality

The article references credible sources such as the World Meteorological Organization and NASA, which are authoritative in climate science. It also includes quotes from recognized figures like the UN Secretary-General and climate activists, lending credibility to the reported claims. The mention of the Associated Press's funding sources adds transparency to the reporting, although it does not specify individual studies or data sources for some claims, which could enhance reliability.

7
Transparency

The article provides a good level of transparency by citing the World Meteorological Organization and other reputable sources. It discloses the Associated Press's financial support from private foundations, which is a positive step toward transparency. However, the article could improve by detailing the specific methodologies or datasets used to arrive at the reported climate findings, offering readers a clearer understanding of the basis for the claims.

Sources

  1. https://unu.edu/ehs/series/5-insights-state-climate-report-2023-record-breaking-climate-trends-and-urgent-calls
  2. https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/temperatures-rising-nasa-confirms-2024-warmest-year-on-record/
  3. https://www.unep.org/resources/report/climate-change-2023-synthesis-report
  4. https://www.climate.gov/news-features/climate-qa/whats-hottest-earths-ever-been
  5. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/reporting-state-climate-2023