By Swati Chauhan

The climate catastrophe is here; it is no longer a threat or a risk. The disastrous consequences of the climate-change-induced extreme weather events—unusual cold spells, extreme rainfall causing devastating floods, intense heat waves, destructive storms, and severe droughts and wildfires—left no one untouched from its grip. People, planet, economies, communities—the year 2024 saw unprecedented loss and damage. Today, as you look around yourself, it is unimaginable to miss the signs of an “irreversible” climate disaster. If this bleak reality seems foreboding, we regret to inform you that the coming years, including the new year we have just ushered in, will likely mirror this trajectory unless we, as a global community, collectively demand climate action from governments worldwide and take responsibility for securing the future of humanity.

Remember the Twitter (we’re not calling it X for obvious reasons!) meltdown over the peaks of Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain, remaining snowless into late October when Mount Fuji typically sees its first snowfall around October 2? That was just one of the many unprecedented events recorded in the annals of human history in the year 2024. In his New Year’s address, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the top 10 hottest years on record have happened in the last 10 years, including 2024. What’s more, 2024 is yet to be the warmest year on record, beating 2023’s temperatures that were “absolutely gobsmackingly bananas.” Despite various commitments and pledges, fossil fuel consumption has increased significantly over the past half century, around eightfold since 1950 and roughly doubling since 1980. Furthermore, ocean warming driven by human-made climate change has intensified all hurricanes in the Atlantic this year, new research has shown. Moreover, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in April declared that the world was undergoing its fourth global bleaching event, the second in the last decade, affecting over 74 countries. Our world is suffering—from the air we breathe to the depths of the oceans and all lives and livelihoods in between, nothing and no one will be able to escape the impacts of climate change. Unfortunately, 2025 does not look promising either. 

However, what are we, if not the species that dares to hope even in the darkest of times? As the window for climate action narrows and the pervasive climate change-induced calamity plunges us into a bleak future, we have to fight for a better tomorrow urgently. As cliché as it may sound, we have to act now more than ever! Every action, every effort, every vote, every rally, and every form of support for reducing global warming and mitigating our impact on the environment matters. In this spirit, we are turning a new leaf at LEARNBLUE in the new year. In the next twelve months, we wish to strengthen our presence, commit to our goals, and strive for action.

Our key goals for 2025 revolve around influencing climate change and environmental policies through impactful research and expanding the reach of the “Our African Climate Story” programme. At the same time, we want to build a community of volunteers who will not only contribute to the mission of LEARNBLUE but also empower underserved communities by imparting education and resources on climate change. This year, we are committed to doing more of what we believe in: taking decisive action. We hope the year ahead is full of opportunities and a great reset—at LEARNBLUE and in our fight to limit the consequences of climate change.

We wish all the readers and believers a hopeful, peaceful, and prosperous new year. We are grateful for your encouragement and support, and we aspire to make a significant impact as the 21st century reaches the completion of its first quarter. In “Seasons of Love,” a song from the 1996 Broadway musical Rent, written and composed by Jonathan Larson, the lyrics inquire about the proper way to quantify the value of a year in human life, ultimately concluding in the chorus that the most effective means is to “measure in love.” Let us all measure 2025 in love, along with our acts to save the planet. It is not a matter for debate anymore. It is now the only path to secure a future for humanity.

Summary

The climate catastrophe is here, with 2024 marking a year of unprecedented extreme weather events, including unusual cold spells, devastating floods, intense heatwaves, and wildfires. The calamitous impact of climate change is felt worldwide, with rising loss and damage to people, planet, and economies. Despite various climate pledges, fossil fuel consumption continues to rise, and ocean warming has worsened hurricanes. The world also faced its fourth global coral bleaching event in 2024. The past decade has seen the hottest years on record, and 2024 was the warmest year yet.

Looking ahead, the need for climate action has never been greater. The window for meaningful change is closing, but hope remains. Collective action can still make a difference in mitigating the devastating impact of climate change. In 2025, LEARNBLUE remains committed to driving climate change advocacy through impactful research, influencing environmental policy, and expanding its “Our African Climate Story” program. The organization aims to engage more volunteers and empower underserved communities with climate education. As we face an uncertain future, LEARNBLUE calls for a renewed commitment to action, grounded in hope, solidarity, and a love for the planet and its people.