The report "Perilous Times on Planet Earth: The 2024 State of the Climate Report", published in BioScience, indicates the Earth's highest-ever recorded average surface temperature, ocean heat content, and average global sea levels. It also reveals record lows in Greenland and Antarctic ice mass and average glacier thickness. Methane emissions and nitrous oxide emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, have also reached unprecedented levels. A total of 28 climate feedback loops that exacerbate warming, such as permafrost thawing, have been documented.

Among the key numbers in the report:

• 25 of the 35 planetary vital signs used to track climate change at record highs or lows
• Combined consumption of coal, oil, and gas rose by 1.5% in 2023 relative to 2022
• Fossil fuel consumption remains roughly 14 times greater than solar and wind energy consumption
• Global tree cover loss rose from 22.8 megahectares (Mha) per year in 2022 to 28.3 Mha per year in 2023
• Annual energy-related emissions increased 2.1% in 2023
• Nitrous oxide – a potent long-lived greenhouse gas - have increased by roughly 40% from 1980 to 2020

The report calls for large-scale climate change mitigation and adaptation to limit further impacts. The researchers recommend adopting policies to implement a global carbon price, enhance energy efficiency, curb greenhouse gas emissions, protect ecosystems, promote sustainable economics, incorporate climate education, and encourage a shift towards plant-based diets.