In this week of Science Saturday, we look back at the major breakthroughs made in science and technology over the past year.

California wildfires

Extreme weather events are the cause of the devastating wildfires in Southern California. First, the supersized Santa Ana winds at 161 kilometers per hour - followed by extreme drought. Then, the growth of tons of plants in downpours, which later dried out in record-high temperatures. Lastly, an unstable jet stream and downed power lines flapping in powerful winds. Experts say climate change is behind these weather events.

Global warming

And climate change is just going to intensify! Earth recorded the hottest year ever in 2024. It passed 2023's record heat and kept pushing even higher. What's alarming is it has surpassed the long-term warming limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius that was called for by the 2015 Paris climate pact. Experts say the primary reason is the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere from the burning of coal, oil and gas.

Ancient ice

Scientists unearth ancient ice from the Antarctic. They drilled nearly 2.8 kilometers down to reach ice that's at least 1.2 million years old. The team had previously drilled an 800,000-year-old core. They say greenhouse gas levels during the warmest periods of the past 800,000 years have never surpassed levels of the Industrial Revolution. With the new findings, they hope to show how Earth's atmosphere and climate have evolved.

Moon exploration

China's Chang'e-5 samples show that the moon had a magnetic field 2 billion years ago. Experts say it was persistent but weak, and measured less than 10 percent of Earth's current field strength. The finding suggests that the lunar dynamo lasted at least until the moon's middle years. It could also help fill a major gap in our understanding of the moon's magnetic evolution.