Scientists have predicted that July is set to break global temperature records, making it the warmest month ever observed. The World Meteorological Organization and the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service announced that July’s heat has surpassed previous records, with Earth’s temperature temporarily crossing over the internationally accepted goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degree Celsius.
For a record 16 days this month, temperatures were 1.5 degrees warmer than pre-industrial times. While there have been instances of briefly surpassing this threshold in the past, it has never occurred in July.
Heatwaves have been experienced in three continents – North America, Europe, and Asia. Over 128 million Americans were under some form of heat advisory due to the persistent heatwave in the U.S. Southwest, which has now spread to the Midwest and East.
The unprecedented heat levels have brought with them severe consequences, including prolonged heatwaves, increased flooding, extended wildfires, and extreme weather events that pose significant risks to people.
The current temperature records are a result of human-caused climate change amplified by a natural El Nino climate cycle. However, scientists have observed unusually high ocean warming in the Atlantic, suggesting there may be more factors at play.
These alarming trends serve as a potent reminder of the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and curb global warming. They speak to the immediate and long-term implications of climate change, underscoring the necessity for proactive measures to mitigate its effects.