Climate Changes

A deadly cyclone ripped through the islands of Mayotte on December 14, 2024. Cyclone Chido’s hurricane-force winds downed electric poles, uprooted trees, and tore roofs off homes in the French territory, according to news reports.

On December 9, 2024, the Franklin Fire erupted in Malibu, California, marking another devastating wildfire event in a region highly susceptible to such disasters. Local authorities reported widespread destruction, with multiple structures lost and the forced evacuation of 6,300 residents. As the fire raged, its containment efforts faced significant challenges; two days after the outbreak, containment stood at a mere 7%. The event prompted school closures and mobilized nearly 2,000 firefighters, underscoring the scale of the emergency.

The Paris Agreement set a vital goal to limit global warming to no more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. To achieve this, humanity must adhere to a strict carbon budget—the maximum amount of additional carbon dioxide (CO₂) we can release into the atmosphere. However, only around 17% of this budget remains, leaving us with approximately 10 years at current emission rates to act decisively.

A strong extratropical cyclone hit the Pacific Northwest on November 19, 2024, bringing damaging winds and rain to the region. The storm knocked over trees and left nearly 600,000 people without power in Washington state on November 20, according to news reports.