Climate Watch: 2015 to 2024 warmest years on record, says EU

Climate change directly affects our communities, health, and livelihoods. Yet, media coverage often prioritises politics and business over climate-related stories, leaving crucial environmental news under-reported.

Climate Watch seeks to bridge this information gap, ensuring that important climate change stories and mitigation efforts stay on your radar.

Here is a round-up of last week’s climate stories:

• Abubakar Buba, the Kaduna state commissioner for environment, has announced plans to plant 10 million trees over the next four years. Speaking to stakeholders on January 8, Buba said the initiative is part of an afforestation programme designed to combat climate change and protect the environment. The commissioner said the state government successfully planted about 1.7 million trees in 2024. Buba said the ministry of environment will aim to double the number of trees planted this year, adding that “we have nurseries that have produced these tree seedlings”. Read more here.
• The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) says 2024 was the warmest year on record, with global temperatures surpassing the 1.5°C threshold for the first time. In its report released on January 10, C3S said the global average temperature in 2024 was 15.10°C, which is 0.72°C above the 1991–2020 average and 0.12°C higher than the previous record set in 2023. The findings highlight an alarming trend, with 2015 to 2024 ranking among the 10 warmest years ever recorded. C3S noted that global temperatures exceeded the 1.5°C level above pre-industrial averages for 11 months of the year. July 22, 2024, marked a record high average global temperature of 17.16°C. Find out more here.
• The death toll from the wildfires in Southern California has risen to 24. The fires, which began on January 7, were caused by strong gusty winds and fast-moving embers. At least five fires are currently burning through Los Angeles and nearby counties. The Woodley, Hust, and Lidia fires have reportedly been contained. However, the Palisades and Eaton fires are still active and are considered the largest. The fires have led to the evacuation of more than 137,000 people and destruction of over 1,000 houses, cars and businesses, with hospitals shuttered. Find out more here.