Earth’s Hottest Day on Record: A Sign of Things to Come
The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has declared July 21st the hottest day ever recorded globally. Data shows the global average surface temperature reached a scorching 17.09 degrees Celsius (62.7 degrees Fahrenheit), surpassing the previous record set in July 2023.
This record-breaking heat is part of a disturbing trend. C3S, with records dating back to 1940, emphasizes we’ve entered “uncharted territory.” Director Carlo Buontempo warns of even higher temperatures in the future, pointing to the concerning pattern of the past 13 months, where every month since June 2023 has seen record-breaking heat.
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The relentless summer heatwave in the Northern Hemisphere has fueled wildfires and extreme weather events. Experts suggest this record may be short-lived as temperatures continue to rise.
Climate change is the culprit behind increasingly frequent and severe weather extremes like heatwaves and floods. This year has already witnessed deadly heatwaves in North America, Mexico, Asia (including Pakistan, India, and Thailand), while floods have ravaged East Africa, China, and Brazil.
Southern and Eastern Europe, along with parts of Canada and the US, are battling wildfires fueled by the prolonged heat and dry conditions. Despite efforts to switch to cleaner energy sources, emissions continue to rise, accelerating global warming.
While 2023 is on track to be the hottest year ever recorded, C3S warns it’s too early to definitively say if 2024 will surpass it, given the scorching temperatures observed so far. One thing is clear: the current trend points towards a hotter future.
