No, 2024 Was Not Earth’s Hottest Year (Not Even Close)

Misleading and hyperbolic headlines meet the dinosaurs

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Following the conclusion of 2024, newsfeeds around the world were bombarded with misleading headlines screaming that 2024 was the warmest year on record. You likely saw many of these headlines that look something like this.

• WMO confirms 2024 as warmest year on record
• Temperatures Rising: NASA Confirms 2024 Warmest Year on Record
• 2024 was the world’s warmest year on record

At first glance, these headlines look concerning. They are enough to bring a stab of existential dread or a wave of fear. What is going to happen to us? Is the planet burning up? These were common questions and sentiments online after this news dropped. The problem is that they are heavily misleading.

Note that every one of these official headlines makes sure to include the words “on record.” Those two little words are key to understanding this data. Weather and climate data only goes back to 1850 at the earliest. Reliable weather and climate data really only go back to 1900. That means that every year prior to 1900 is a bit of a guess or a black box when it comes to data. We don’t know how hot or cold it was in the 18th century. Scientists can infer things about…