On Sunday, the Earth experienced its hottest day on record, with a global average temperature of 17.09 degrees Celsius (62.76 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the European climate service Copernicus. This surpasses the previous record set just last year by a small margin of .01 degrees Celsius (.02 degrees Fahrenheit). The trend of breaking heat records has been on the rise in recent years, highlighting the impact of human-caused climate change.
Copernicus Director Carlo Buontempo emphasized the significant difference in temperatures between the last 13 months and previous records, indicating a concerning trend of escalating global temperatures. The agency predicts that as the climate continues to warm, new records will be broken in the coming months and years.
The unusually warm Antarctic winter played a key role in pushing Sunday's temperatures to unprecedented levels. Additionally, regions like interior California and Europe experienced extreme heat, exacerbating wildfires and heatwaves.
Scientists attribute the record-breaking heat primarily to climate change resulting from the burning of fossil fuels and livestock agriculture. While natural factors like El Nino and reduced marine pollution may contribute to the warming, greenhouse gas emissions remain the primary driver of rising temperatures.
Despite the possibility of a cooling La Nina following the end of El Nino, experts anticipate that 2024 is likely to surpass 2023 as the warmest year on record. The consistent trend of increasing temperatures underscores the urgent need to address greenhouse gas emissions and prioritize climate action.
While the difference in temperature between this year and last year may seem small, it represents a significant milestone in the context of historical climate data. The continuous warming trend serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need to mitigate climate change and transition to sustainable practices.
As the Earth continues to experience record-breaking temperatures, the call for decisive action to combat climate change grows louder. The availability of technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions highlights the importance of political will in addressing this global challenge.
For more climate coverage, visit AP's climate and environment section.
