RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan 4, (V7N) - Brazil experienced its hottest year on record in 2024, with an average temperature of 25.02 degrees Celsius (77.04 Fahrenheit), surpassing the previous record set in 2023, according to the National Institute of Meteorology.

This temperature is 0.79°C higher than the 1991-2020 average, marking the warmest year since records began in 1961. The weather agency attributed this "statistically significant trend" to global warming and local environmental changes.

A recent study by the Federal University of Sao Paulo revealed an alarming increase in climate-related disasters in Brazil between 2020 and 2023, with the annual average nearly doubling compared to the previous two decades. These disasters include:

Droughts

Flooding

Violent storms

Extreme temperatures

The research found a link between these events and the warming of ocean surface temperatures.

Brazil is not alone in experiencing record-breaking heat. The United Nations announced that 2024 was the hottest year globally, with similar records reported by China, India, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

Experts stress the urgency of addressing climate change as countries around the world grapple with the intensifying impacts of global warming. Brazil’s experience highlights the need for robust mitigation and adaptation strategies to safeguard vulnerable communities and ecosystems.