WMO: 2024 was the hottest year on record

Hottest Year on Record: Farmers Urged to Build ResilienceBy Ellanie SmitThe World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year on record, with the global average surface temperature 1.55 degrees Celsius above the 1850–1900 average. This marks the first calendar year with a global mean temperature exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed that while exceeding the 1.5-degree threshold in individual years doesn’t mean the long-term target is lost, it highlights the urgent need for stronger climate action. “Blazing temperatures in 2024 require trail-blazing climate action in 2025,” Guterres stated, urging global leaders to act immediately to prevent the worst outcomes of the climate crisis.In Namibia, farmers face increasing challenges due to climate change, particularly in the form of prolonged droughts. Adolf Muremi, President of the Namibia National Farmers' Union (NNFU), highlighted these issues in the union’s latest newsletter. He explained that while the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Climate Services Centre initially forecast normal to above-normal rainfall for early 2025, updated projections from Namibia’s Meteorological Service now suggest a normal rainfall season, with a 40% decline in earlier indicators due to the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycles.“La Niña conditions are likely to emerge between December and January 2025, transitioning to ENSO-neutral by March to May 2025,” Muremi noted. This means farmers can expect normal rainfall for the remainder of the season, rather than the above-normal rainfall initially predicted.Despite these revisions, Muremi urged farmers to use the information to prepare effectively. He emphasized the need for proactive measures to mitigate risks and capitalize on opportunities. “There is no one-size-fits-all solution for the challenges we face, but adaptive strategies are essential,” he said.Muremi encouraged farmers to consider the following adaptive measures:Drought-tolerant crops and livestock breeds to withstand drier conditions.Fodder stockpiling to sustain animals during dry periods.Conservation Agriculture (CA) techniques like mulching to retain soil moisture.Water harvesting and supplementary irrigation, where feasible, to ensure water availability.Diversification of farming activities to spread risk and enhance resilience.Celeste Saulo, WMO Secretary-General, underscored the urgency of the situation, noting that the past ten years have all been among the hottest on record. This trend has been accompanied by extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and melting ice, driven by record-breaking greenhouse gas emissions.Governments worldwide have been urged to introduce new national climate action plans to limit long-term temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius and support vulnerable communities affected by climate change.Namibian farmers are being called upon to take proactive steps, leveraging available forecasts and embracing sustainable practices to build resilience against the evolving climate crisis.

WMO: 2024 was the hottest year on record

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-07

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WMO: 2024 was the hottest year on record

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-07

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