A warming world exposed: Extreme weather without borders

Climate agencies confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year ever recorded globally. Rising temperatures intensified heatwaves, droughts and storms, pushing weather systems toward extremes and laying the groundwork for a year marked by widespread climate-related disasters.

South and Southeast Asia: Storms claim over 1,600 lives

Between late November and early December, powerful storms swept across South and Southeast Asia. Subsequent assessments showed that as of December 4, the death toll has climbed to more than 1,600 people. Torrential rainfall triggered large-scale flooding and landslides, destroying homes, farmland and infrastructure. Several countries reported prolonged disruptions to transport, electricity and emergency services.

Arctic: Sea ice hits record low in March

In March, Arctic sea ice extent fell to the lowest level ever recorded for that month. Scientists warned that shrinking ice cover accelerates regional warming, disrupts polar ecosystems and weakens the Arctic's role in stabilizing global climate patterns.

Kenya: Worsening drought threatens millions

In February, drought conditions worsened across Kenya's arid regions, placing millions of people at risk of starvation. Prolonged rainfall deficits devastated crops and livestock, deepening food insecurity and straining humanitarian response systems.

United States: Heat dome grips the eastern region

In June, an early-season heat dome settled over the eastern United States, driving temperatures to record highs. Prolonged heat strained power grids, raised health risks and disrupted daily life, particularly in densely populated urban areas.

India: Heatwave hit New Delhi and beyond

In April, a severe heatwave struck India's capital New Delhi and other regions, with temperatures soaring well above seasonal averages. Authorities issued heat alerts as extreme conditions disrupted daily activities and heightened public health concerns.

Taken together, these events underscore a shared reality: rising global temperatures are no longer a distant risk but a present force reshaping weather patterns, ecosystems and human security across regions.

From polar ice loss to lethal heatwaves, drought and storms, climate impacts are unfolding simultaneously and unevenly around the world.

As extreme events become more frequent and interconnected, the challenge is no longer whether societies will be affected, but how effectively they can adapt, reduce risk and build resilience in an increasingly warming climate.