2024's Extreme Weather: A Clear Call for Climate Action

The year 2024 has been defined by a series of relentless extreme weather events, highlighting the urgent need for climate action. From the catastrophic hurricanes Helene and Milton, with Milton reaching the mathematically strongest intensity possible, to record-breaking heatwaves, devastating floods, and deadly landslides, the impacts of a warming planet are clearer than ever. These back-to-back disasters are fueled by rising sea temperatures, which strengthen storms, while prolonged heatwaves contribute to widespread droughts, wildfires, and health crises.

This year’s catastrophic events include the Afghanistan-Pakistan floods, deadly landslides in India, and flooding across South America, each displacing thousands and causing widespread destruction. Meanwhile, extreme heatwaves continue to break global records, pushing ecosystems and infrastructure to their limits. The trajectory is undeniable—hotter heatwaves, stronger storms, and more intense flooding will only continue as climate change accelerates.

With the International Day of Climate Action on October 24th, now is the time to reflect on the connection between these escalating events and the urgent need for coordinated global action. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of reducing carbon emissions, advocating for sustainable policies, and taking meaningful steps toward climate resilience.

Sign up for EcoBlvd’s newsletter to stay updated on the latest climate news and solutions. Join a community that’s committed to making a difference for the planet’s future.

Extreme Weather Throughout 2024…. So Far

As 2024 progresses, extreme weather events have unfolded at a relentless pace, leaving a trail of devastation across the globe. From hurricanes of unprecedented intensity to heatwaves pushing global temperature records, this year has shown the world the direct impacts of a warming climate. What makes these events even more alarming is their unexpected nature—many of them striking regions that were unaccustomed to such extreme conditions. This unpredictability makes it more difficult to prepare, heightening the challenges of disaster response.

Below is a chronological timeline of just a few of the many significant weather events of 2024. As these disasters grow more frequent and severe, they underscore the accelerating climate crisis, setting the stage for deeper reflection on International Day of Climate Action.

• February 22: Wildfires in Viña del Mar, Chile
  
  Despite the cooler coastal climate of Chile, the region around Viña del Mar faced devastating fires fueled by persistent, fire-conducive weather. The extreme heat and dry conditions made it impossible to contain the spread of the flames, highlighting the increasing risk of wildfires in regions that were previously less vulnerable.

• March 21: Dangerous Humid Heat in Southern West Africa
  
  Southern West Africa experienced a sudden spike in humid heat, with temperatures reaching 4°C above seasonal averages. The humid conditions made the heat especially oppressive, creating dangerous living environments, particularly in densely populated areas like Lagos, Nigeria. This event underscores how climate change is amplifying extreme heat across the region, further straining infrastructure and communities.

• April 3: Extreme Sahel Heatwave
  
  An unprecedented heatwave swept across the Sahel and West Africa, coinciding with the end of Ramadan. In Burkina Faso, temperatures spiked to over 45°C, with Kayes, Mali, recording a record 48.5°C on April 3rd. Minimum nighttime temperatures remained dangerously high, exacerbating heat stress. Meteorologists confirmed that the intensity of this heatwave would not have been possible without climate change, illustrating how vulnerable the region is to increasing global temperatures.

• April 14–17: Persian Gulf Floods
  
  Unseasonably heavy rainfall in mid-April caused severe flash floods across parts of the Persian Gulf, inundating urban areas and damaging critical infrastructure. The floods resulted in 33 deaths and widespread property damage, disrupting daily life in several cities.

• April 29 – Ongoing: 2024 Rio Grande do Sul Floods
  
  Extreme rainfall triggered catastrophic floods across southern Brazil at the end of April. The region of Rio Grande do Sul was particularly hard hit, with floodwaters displacing thousands of residents and causing massive destruction to homes and agriculture. These floods are part of a broader pattern of intensifying precipitation events in the region, driven by climate change.

• May 19–27: Tornado Outbreak Sequence
  
  A powerful tornado outbreak struck the United States in May, producing dozens of tornadoes that devastated communities across the southern and midwestern states. The storms caused significant property damage, with entire neighborhoods left in ruins. The scale and frequency of the tornadoes highlight how warmer temperatures are fueling more severe weather events.

• May 24: 2024 Enga Landslide
  
  Torrential rains triggered devastating landslides in Papua New Guinea's Enga Province. Entire villages were buried under mud and debris, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in the region's history. The event emphasizes the increasing risks posed by heavy rainfall and deforestation in vulnerable areas.

• May 24–28: Cyclone Remal
  
  Cyclone Remal tore through Southeast Asia, bringing extreme winds and heavy rainfall that caused widespread flooding and infrastructure damage. With wind speeds reaching severe levels, the storm led to the evacuation of thousands and left communities struggling to recover.

• June 28 – July 11: Hurricane Beryl
  
  Hurricane Beryl ravaged parts of the Caribbean, leaving destruction in its wake. Torrential rains, storm surges, and high winds caused significant damage to several islands, highlighting the region’s vulnerability to powerful tropical storms that are becoming more frequent and intense due to warmer sea temperatures.

• July 30: 2024 Wayanad Landslides
  
  Heavy monsoon rains in India’s Wayanad region triggered deadly landslides that engulfed entire villages. This disaster displaced thousands of people, illustrating the growing risks of landslides exacerbated by deforestation and increasingly intense monsoon rains.

• August 31 – September 8: Typhoon Yagi
  
  Typhoon Yagi made landfall in East Asia, bringing torrential rains, storm surges, and high winds that devastated coastal cities. The storm caused widespread destruction, with large areas left underwater and infrastructure severely damaged.

• September 7 - 8: Rare Flooding In The Sahara Desert
  
  In the Morrocan region of the North African desert, the Sahara Desert has experienced severe flooding for the first time in nearly half a century. During a 24-hour period, more than 100mm (3.9 inches) of rainfall was recorded. This unprecedented event has caused widespread damage, affecting local communities and disrupting the fragile desert ecosystem.

• September 24–27: Hurricane Helene
  
  One of the most powerful storms of the year, Hurricane Helene slammed into the U.S. East Coast, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. The storm caused significant flooding and damage across multiple states, with North Carolina particularly hard hit, even though the state was not expecting or fully prepared for such devastation. The death toll exceeded 214 as Helene’s unexpected reach overwhelmed areas unaccustomed to such ferocity, further highlighting the increasing unpredictability of extreme weather in a warming climate.

• October 7: Hurricane Milton
  
  Hurricane Milton has shattered records, becoming the strongest storm ever recorded, reaching the mathematical upper limit of intensity in our atmosphere. The storm decimated large parts of the Caribbean and the southeastern United States, with search-and-rescue efforts still ongoing.

Exploring the Causes of Increasing Extreme Weather

One of the most concerning trends of climate change in 2024 is the increasing unpredictability of extreme weather events. Regions that were once accustomed to predictable seasonal patterns are now facing severe weather they were unprepared for. Places like North Carolina, which wasn't anticipating the full impact of Hurricane Helene, suffered devastating damage. Meanwhile, flooding in the Sahara Desert, an area typically known for its dry climate, caught local populations off guard. These unexpected events highlight the challenges posed by climate change, as traditional weather patterns shift in ways that make disaster preparedness more difficult.

This unpredictability is driven by changes in atmospheric and oceanic systems caused by rising global temperatures. Warmer oceans are fueling stronger and more erratic hurricanes, while shifts in the jet stream are causing storms and extreme temperatures to strike places unaccustomed to such events. As a result, traditional forecasting models are becoming less reliable, and infrastructure is facing conditions it wasn't designed for. The growing volatility in weather patterns underscores the urgent need for adaptive disaster response systems and improved climate resilience strategies to prepare communities for the unexpected.

Human-Induced Climate Change: A pivotal force driving the intensification of extreme weather events is human-induced climate change. Over the past several decades, the Earth's average temperature has risen at an unprecedented rate due to the accumulation of greenhouse gasses. A study conducted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights the correlation between rising temperatures and the increasing frequency of heatwaves and heavy rainfall. The report states, "Evidence from observations of increases in daily temperature extremes, heavy precipitation events, and droughts is consistent with a warming climate.

Warming Oceans as Amplifiers: The oceans, acting as a colossal heat reservoir, play a significant role in shaping weather patterns. The increase in ocean temperatures, driven by climate change, provides the energy needed to intensify tropical storms and hurricanes. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that "warmer ocean waters fuel the energy for more powerful storms." The intensification of hurricanes and cyclones is a direct result of the warmer ocean temperatures. 

Changing Jet Stream Patterns: The jet stream, a high-altitude wind pattern that influences weather systems, is also undergoing shifts due to climate change. As warming in the Arctic accelerates, the jet stream's meandering patterns become more pronounced, leading to the prolonged persistence of weather conditions. According to a study published in the journal "Nature Climate Change," the amplified jet stream patterns are associated with increased instances of prolonged heatwaves and droughts.

Statistics Illuminate the Trend: The statistics speak to this escalating trend. Data from the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) reveals a marked increase in the frequency of once-rare events such as hurricanes, heatwaves, and heavy rainfall. Since the 1980s, the number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes has increased significantly, aligning with the warming of sea surface temperatures. Additionally, the NCEI's analysis of extreme temperature events shows a clear upward trend in the occurrence of heatwaves across the globe.

As we unearth the intricate threads that connect climate change to the intensification of extreme weather, it becomes abundantly clear that a comprehensive response is imperative. In the subsequent sections, we navigate the trajectory of this trend, exploring how events once deemed rare have become the norm, and delve into the collective actions required to mitigate and adapt to the challenges that lie ahead.

International Day of Climate Action: What It Is and How to Make a Difference

The International Day of Climate Action, observed annually on October 24th, is a global event that aims to raise awareness and inspire collective action to combat the growing threats of climate change. As extreme weather events continue to intensify—like the devastating hurricanes, deadly heatwaves, and unprecedented floods seen throughout 2024—the urgency to take immediate, impactful steps has never been greater.

This day serves as a reminder that climate change is not a future problem; it is happening now, and every effort counts. From reducing greenhouse gas emissions to supporting renewable energy and advocating for policy changes, International Day of Climate Action encourages people worldwide to take meaningful actions that contribute to building a more resilient and sustainable planet.

Here’s how you can make a difference:

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: Globally, greenhouse gas emissions have grown by 53% from 1990 to 2019 according to the World Resources Institute. By embracing energy-efficient practices and reducing energy consumption, you can cut your personal carbon footprint by up to 20%, leading to a notable decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.

Support Renewable Energy: Renewable energy sources are poised to generate 85% of global electricity by 2050, says the International Renewable Energy Agency (IREA). By adopting solar panels or investing in wind energy projects, you're contributing directly to this transition and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Advocate for Policy Changes: A study by the Pew Research Center reveals that 74% of Americans say they support the country's participation in international efforts to reduce the effects of climate change. Your voice amplifies this call for change – engaging with policy-makers can lead to impactful shifts in climate policies, such as the adoption of cleaner energy standards.

Promote Sustainable Practices: A simple shift to plant-based diets can reduce individual carbon footprints by up to 73%, as indicated by research published in a recent study by Oxford University. Additionally, reducing plastic waste by using reusable bags and containers decreases plastic pollution, which accounts for approximately 8 million metric tons of plastic entering the oceans annually.

Community Resilience Building: Engage in local initiatives to bolster community resilience. A report by the National Institute of Building Sciences found that for every dollar invested in disaster mitigation, communities save an average of $6 in post-disaster recovery. Active participation can enhance community preparedness and decrease recovery costs.

Harness the power of numbers to create impactful change. Take steps that resonate not just in ideals, but in quantifiable results. As you embark on this journey to mitigate extreme weather impact, your efforts matter – they embody the percentages that translate into a sustainable future.

EcoBlvd's Commitment to Addressing Extreme Weather

At EcoBlvd, we see firsthand the increasing impacts of climate change—from extreme weather events to the mounting waste crisis. This awareness is why we’re committed to doing what we can to help combat these issues. Our phone cases are made from compostable, plant-based materials and recycled plastic, ensuring that we minimize waste and reduce the reliance on new plastics, which contribute to environmental degradation.

We also recognize the importance of packaging in the waste cycle. That’s why all of our packaging is recyclable and plastic-free, and we push for ground shipping to cut down on the carbon emissions associated with air transport. These are intentional steps we take to address the larger problems facing our planet.

In addition to making sustainable products, we contribute to The Ocean Conservancy, Mojave Desert Land Trust, and National Forest Foundation, organizations working to protect critical environments. 

Our commitment is driven by the reality we see: a planet in need of conscious choices and immediate action to combat climate change.

Conclusion:

The extreme weather events of 2024 have made it clear that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present reality. From powerful hurricanes to record-breaking heatwaves, the planet is showing the urgent need for action to mitigate these disasters and protect vulnerable communities.

As we approach the International Day of Climate Action, now is the time to take meaningful steps. Whether it's reducing carbon emissions, advocating for policy changes, or supporting sustainable practices, every action counts.