Discover the 10 Most Impactful Environmental Events of 2024: A Must-Read Guide from Baptist News Global

Hottest Year Yet In 2024, we are on track to break records as the hottest year ever. Last year’s heat was exceptional, and this year is expected to exceed it by over a degree. We also experienced the three hottest days on record. For the first time, the global average temperature rose at least 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels for an entire year. This worrying trend is largely due to human actions and is intensified by events like El Niño.

Political Changes Donald Trump won the presidency again, defeating Kamala Harris. He made bold promises to rollback environmental protections put in place by previous administrations. Many believe he will pull the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Accord again, signaling a renewed focus on fossil fuels. His “Drill baby, drill” slogan shows strong support for the oil and gas industry while turning away from clean energy initiatives.

“Who would have thought Asheville, N.C., would be decimated by a hurricane?”

Hurricane Helene’s Impact Late September brought Hurricane Helene, the deadliest hurricane since Katrina, taking 232 lives. The storm highlighted how far inland flooding can reach. Even places like Asheville, N.C. faced serious damage. From California wildfires to cyclones causing casualties in the Philippines, the extremes of weather continue to rise. While Helene was deadly, it wasn’t the costliest; that title belongs to Hurricane Milton, which caused up to $60 billion in damages.

Climate and Inflation Inflation is a hot topic this election year. Prices for food, housing, and more have skyrocketed, and Joe Biden faces much of the blame. However, global events also play a role. Droughts along the Mississippi River disrupted shipping, raising food prices. Olive oil production dropped by a third due to Mediterranean heat, and severe weather in Ghana and Ivory Coast tripled cocoa prices. Even orange production in the U.S. dropped by 40%, resulting in soaring prices.

“Around the world in 2024, three out of four people experienced at least 31 days of extreme heat.”

Health Concerns Climate change drastically affects global health. Air pollution from fossil fuels contributes to 8 million premature deaths every year. In 2024, 75% of people felt extreme heat, which led to distressing events like the deaths of 1,300 pilgrims during Hajj in Mecca. Natural disasters further strained health systems, particularly in developing countries where clean water and medical resources are already limited.

Infrastructure Damage High temperatures have begun to affect our infrastructure. Reports from Canada recalled melting roads during a heatwave. By 2024, extreme heat conditions led to reports of bridges collapsing. Hurricane Helene destroyed homes and towns, contributing to record-breaking climate disasters in the U.S., costing about $94 billion collectively. Insurers are hesitant to cover these risks, leaving many to fend for themselves after massive disasters.

Rising Clean Energy On a brighter note, clean energy usage is on the rise. In 2024, it accounted for 90% of all new energy capacity. China alone installed more solar energy than the entire history of the U.S. Many countries are transitioning to greener economies, with the world aiming to increase clean energy to 90% quickly to meet climate goals.

Environmental Justice Activism The fight for environmental justice is growing. In Clairton, Pennsylvania, residents are holding a fossil fuel company accountable for air quality violations affecting marginalized communities. Additionally, in Florida, a controversial bill limiting protections for outdoor workers sparked outrage among advocates for those most vulnerable to heat exposure.

War’s Environmental Cost The toll of war on the environment reached alarming levels in 2024. Conflicts, like those in Gaza and Ukraine, severely damaged ecosystems. The UN is assessing pollution levels in Gaza, while farming lands in Ukraine face devastation from warfare. Experts estimate that about 5% of fossil fuel emissions come from military actions.

Youth Activism in Red States In an unexpected turn, young activists in red states like Montana fought against environmental degradation. They successfully sued their state to prevent fossil fuel permits from being issued without considering the greenhouse gas emissions. The Montana Supreme Court’s ruling was a significant win, demonstrating that the fight for a clean environment transcends political affiliations.

Don Gordon is the founder and CEO of C3 — Christians Caring for Creation and also serves as pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in Newton, N.C.

Source link