Several factors converged to make 2024 the hottest year ever, but two primary drivers stand out—fossil fuels and the El Niño climate pattern.

Fossil fuel pollution reaches into every corner of our lives. While oil, coal, and natural gas have fueled industries and driven economies since the 1800s, they also release pollutants that directly impact the health of people and the planet.

Many households are feeling the pinch of rising energy costs, especially during the hottest and coldest months. But beyond inflation or utility price hikes, there’s a bigger factor at play: the planet is overheating.

Plastic pollution is typically seen as a contributor to climate change, but it’s not the plastic itself; it’s the greenhouse gases required to produce it.