Unprecedented Ocean warming engulfed the South-West Pacific in 2024, harming ecosystems and economies, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which highlighted how sea level rise is threatening islands in a region where more than half the population live close to the coast.
The State of the Climate in the South-West Pacific 2024 Report said that sea-surface temperatures were the highest on record, and ocean heat content was at near-record levels in 2024. Nearly 40 million km² (15.4 million square miles) was affected by marine heatwaves. This is more than 10 % of the global ocean surface area, almost the size of the Asian continent or four times the size of Europe and of the United States of America.
On land, extreme heat and rainfall caused deadly and devastating impacts. A record-break streak of tropical cyclones hit the Philippines, whilst the last remaining tropical glacier in Indonesia's New Guinea headed closer to extinction.
"2024 was the warmest year on record in the South-West Pacific region. Ocean heat and acidification combined to inflict long-lasting damage to marine ecosystems and economies. Sea-level rise is an existential threat to entire island nations. It is increasingly evident that we are fast running out of time to turn the tide," said WMO Secretary-General Prof Celeste Saulo.
The State of the Climate in the South-West Pacific is one of a series of annual WMO global and regional reports which seek to inform decision-making for national and regional adaptation strategies and to build resilience in a changing climate. It was released to coincide with the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction 202 5 in Geneva and ahead of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference .
The report contains some good news. It includes a case study showing how strengthened early warning systems and Anticipatory Action in the Philippines enabled communities to prepare and respond to the back-to-back typhoons in 2024. This helped to protect lives and livelihoods and ensure dignified, timely support for vulnerable communities. This exemplifies the value of the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative , which is one of WMO's top strategic priorities.
A separate case study of Fiji's Serua Island highlights the cultural and spiritual challenges of relocating displaced communities, given the deep ancestral ties to the land. It is estimated that each year, at least 50,000 Pacific islanders face the risk of displacement due to the adverse effects of climate change.
