On Monday, July 3, the world witnessed a significant milestone as the average global temperature soared to an unprecedented high of over 17 degrees Celsius for the first time in recorded history.According to US researchers, this new temperature record surpasses any previous measurements dating back to the late 19th century, when instrumental climate records began.Scientists attribute this extreme heat to a combination of a natural climate phenomenon known as El Niño and the continuous emissions of carbon dioxide by human activities.
Additionally, it has been confirmed that last month, June, was the hottest June ever recorded globally, further emphasizing the warming trend.
Notably, the United Kingdom experienced its hottest June on record, as reported by the Met Office. The shipping industry is also poised for a confrontation regarding its impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, China’s rapid expansion of green energy offers hope in the fight against climate change.
The US National Centers for Environmental Prediction disclosed that the average global temperature reached 17.01 degrees Celsius on July 3, surpassing the previous record of 16.92 degrees Celsius set in August 2016. Throughout this year, researchers have expressed concerns about rising temperatures both on land and at sea.
Unusual heatwaves have been observed in various locations worldwide. Spain and several Asian countries experienced record-breaking heat in spring, followed by unexpected marine heatwaves, such as in the North Sea.
China has been grappling with an enduring heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius in some regions. Similarly, parts of the southern United States have been enduring oppressive heat conditions.
Monday’s temperature record represents the highest since satellite monitoring began in 1979. Experts also assert that it is the highest since comprehensive instrumental records were established in the late 19th century.
Scientists believe that the unprecedented global temperature increase is a result of the combination of the natural climate phenomenon El Niño and ongoing carbon dioxide emissions.
The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which has hot, cold, and neutral phases, is the most influential climate fluctuation on Earth.
Leon Simons, a climate researcher, described the average global surface air temperature surpassing 17 degrees Celsius as a significant symbolic milestone in our warming world. Simons anticipates that numerous daily, monthly, and annual temperature records will be broken in the next 1.5 years as the warmer phase of El Niño intensifies.
As June was officially declared the hottest June on record globally, with average temperatures 1.46 degrees Celsius above the average between 1850 and 1900, the United Kingdom also experienced its hottest June to date. The impact of high temperatures is felt even in the world’s extreme regions, as evidenced by the record-breaking July temperature of 8.7 degrees Celsius recorded at Ukraine’s Vernadsky Research base in Antarctica.
Scientists predict that more temperature records will be shattered as the summer progresses and El Niño gains strength. Karsten Haustein from the University of Leipzig suggests that July is likely to be the warmest month ever recorded, potentially surpassing temperatures not seen since the Eemian period, approximately 120,000 years ago. Although Southern Hemisphere temperatures may temporarily decrease in the coming days, the full swing of El Niño indicates the likelihood of even warmer days in July and August.
