News brief

Earth passes warming threshold. Global temperatures in 2024 soared to yet another record level, temporarily pushing Earth past a major symbolic climate threshold. It breaks the long-term warming limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius since the late 1800s that was set as a target by the 2015 Paris climate pact. July 10 was the hottest day recorded by humans, with the globe averaging 17.16 degrees Celsius (62.89 degrees Fahrenheit), according to a European Union agency. In 2024, the 27 weather disasters in the United States cost $182.7 billion. Hurricane Helene was the costliest and deadliest of the year with at least 219 deaths and $79.6 billion in damage.

Is climate change causing extreme weather? The science is complicated.

Helene ravaged North Carolina’s mountains. Its citizens are hollering back.