As California ‘wracks’ with wildfires, scientists have delivered grim news: 2024 is set to be the hottest year on record.

Wildfires in the US: Climate change increases the devastation of disasters – Photo 1.
A woman walks past homes destroyed by a fire in Palisades, Los Angeles, California on January 11 – Photo: REUTERS

2024 has been declared the hottest year on record, as global and ocean temperatures rise at an unusually high rate.

According to scientists, extreme weather events such as deadly heat waves, floods, wildfires and hurricanes are the result of global warming.

Scientists warn that the world is entering a new era with disasters such as floods, hurricanes, wildfires… looming, stemming from human-caused climate change.

Wildfires More Devastating Due to Climate Change
The New York Times said the “firestorms” that have devastated Los Angeles – the second largest city in the US – are proof that extreme weather is becoming more severe and unpredictable.

The wildfires in Southern California in January, which should be the rainy season, are extremely unusual, similar to Hurricanes Helene and Milton that swept through in October.

The fires raging in Los Angeles are among the most destructive in the country’s history. As of the weekend, the fires had burned more than 14,000 hectares, thousands of homes, killed at least 11 people, and caused an estimated $100 billion in damage, according to AccuWeather.

Scientists say the wildfires in Los Angeles are driven by a variety of weather-related factors and are becoming more common as the Earth warms.