According to Bloomberg, 2024 is predicted to be the hottest year on record globally. This can be attributed in part to the warming of the Arctic Ocean, specifically the melting of the ice sheet in the Chukchi Sea. The International Panel on Climate Change previously declared 2023 as the hottest year ever observed, but 2024 could surpass that record. Michael MacFadden, chief scientist of oceanographic and environmental research at the Australian National University, explains that the warming of the Chukchi Sea waters may potentially accelerate the rise in global temperatures. As a result, the second year of El Niño’s occurrence may prove even hotter than the first. Additionally, researchers from Queensland University in Australia have noted that heatwaves are causing crises for populations worldwide, with one to two instances of extreme heat projected to occur every 12-24 months.