17 January 2025 | Article

2024 Breaks Heat Records Globally 

2024 marks the first year where the global average temperature exceeded 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels, according to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. This historic and alarming milestone reflects the increased risk of extreme weather and need for immediate measures. 

Global, national, and individual efforts are needed to turn this trend around. In Sweden, forest ecosystems play a key role in our ability to balance emissions. However, climate change is a threat to the health of forests and their ability to store carbon. More extreme weather, such as summer droughts, is predicted to affect northern boreal forests much more frequently in the future. 

Most Swedish forests are production forests, lacking the diversity of trees and species found in continuity forests. Natural forests are more resilient to extreme climates than clear-cut, single-species plantations. Their diversity of tree species, varying ages, and complex structures create a stable ecosystem that can effectively sequester carbon over time. Studies also show that they possess greater resilience to external stresses. Additionally, they help regulate local microclimates, reducing the impacts of temperature spikes and extreme weather events. 

The 2024 temperature record serves as a stark reminder of the accelerating impacts of climate change. By prioritizing the conservation and development of natural forests and continuity forests, we can contribute to mitigating the effects of the climate crisis. 

Photo: fightCOtwo