The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has confirmed what many of us felt in our communities: 2024 was the hottest year ever recorded, with global average surface temperatures 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels. This milestone marks the first calendar year to cross the 1.5°C threshold established in the Paris Agreement—not as a failure of the goal but as a stark warning of the urgency to act.

Over the past decade, each year has ranked among the Top Ten warmest years on record. This trend is no coincidence. It reflects the accelerating impacts of human-induced climate change, from soaring greenhouse gas emissions to intensifying extreme weather events. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo and UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasize that while this single year over 1.5°C does not signal the end of our climate goals, every fraction of a degree matters in shaping the future of our planet.
Oceans on Fire: The Critical Role of Ocean Heat
The oceans, which absorb about 90% of the excess heat from global warming, reached unprecedented temperatures in 2024, with the upper 2000 meters storing 16 zettajoules more heat than in 2023. To put that into perspective, this increase is 140 times greater than the world’s total electricity generation in 2023. Rising ocean heat content fuels stronger storms, disrupts marine ecosystems, and amplifies sea level rise—directly impacting coastal communities like ours in Stillwater, Minnesota.

Why Local Action Matters
Although these findings may feel overwhelming, they serve as a rallying cry for action—globally, nationally, and locally. Here in Stillwater, Sustainable Stillwater MN is committed to addressing climate change through community-driven solutions.
In 2025, our key initiatives include:
Supporting Sustainable Transportation: Advocating for bike-friendly streets, pedestrian pathways, and EV infrastructure to reduce emissions.
Green Business Practices: Promoting eco-friendly businesses through the revamped Green Business Directory, ensuring a long-term culture of sustainability in our economy.
Community Education: Hosting workshops and events to empower residents with the knowledge and tools to live more sustainably.
Energy and Climate Solutions: Supporting Stillwater’s efforts through Minnesota’s GreenStep Cities program, implementing energy efficiency projects, renewable energy adoption, and strategies to reduce emissions.
Carbon Emission Reduction: Advocating for local renewable energy solutions, encouraging the adoption of solar panels, and supporting community-driven energy initiatives to reduce Stillwater’s overall carbon footprint.
A Call to Action for Stillwater
The science is clear: the longer we wait, the harder the fight against climate change becomes. But there is hope. Communities like ours can make a difference by supporting policies and actions that align with the Paris Agreement and beyond. Whether it’s reducing personal carbon footprints, advocating for renewable energy, or supporting local sustainability efforts, every action matters.
Let’s make 2025 the year of trail-blazing climate action in Stillwater. Together, we can build a future that’s not only livable but thriving—for us, our children, and generations to come.
Join us in this fight by supporting Sustainable Stillwater MN’s projects and initiatives. Sign up for updates, volunteer at events, and advocate for the policies that protect our planet. Because every degree—and every action—counts.
SOURCE
Order your own Stick It To Climate Change:
Climate Action Campaign (CAC) has launched the Stick It To Climate Change Campaign, a large-scale grassroots initiative aimed at making climate change as visible, vocal, and urgent as possible under the new administration and Congress.
The campaign's primary objective is to engage one million people—or more—in the fight for a sustainable planet by Show Your Stripes Day on June 21st.
The Climate Stripes serve as a powerful visual representation of rising global temperatures from 1850 to the present. Each stripe symbolizes the average temperature of a specific year, transitioning from cooler blues to alarming reds as temperatures have risen over time.
The simplicity of the stripes makes the science of climate change accessible to everyone. At a glance, they reveal over a century of dangerous warming trends, highlighting the urgent need for climate solutions to prevent further harm. By embracing and sharing the Climate Stripes, individuals can collectively amplify the call for immediate climate action.
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