ROME: Preliminary findings from climate scientists indicate that the first week of July has recorded its name in history as the hottest week ever recorded on Earth.
Across the planet, scorching temperatures prevailed, with certain regions experiencing oceanic temperatures that surpassed climate change models’ predictions.
On July 7, a date that marked the top of this sweltering spell, the global average surface temperature soared to 17.24 degrees Celsius. This reading surpassed the previous record of 16.94 degrees set back in August 2016, as confirmed by the World Meteorological Organization, according to VoA.
What raises concerns among scientists is the fact that these elevated temperatures materialized even before the onset of the El Nino weather pattern in the Pacific. The arrival of El Niño is expected to further intensify global temperatures in the coming months of this year and persist into 2024.
Christopher Hewitt, the Director of Climate Services at the WMO, expressed deep apprehension regarding these startling observations. “The exceptional warmth experienced in June and early July coincided with the emergence of El Nino, which is anticipated to amplify heat levels across both land and oceans, fostering more extreme temperatures and marine heatwaves,” Hewitt stated in a press release.
“We find ourselves navigating uncharted waters, and as El Nino continues to progress, we should anticipate further records being shattered. Regrettably, these impacts will endure well into 2024,” added Hewitt. “This distressing news weighs heavily on the fate of our planet.”
As the world grapples with this distressing reality, it is crucial for policymakers, scientists, and individuals alike to acknowledge the significance of these findings and take bold steps towards mitigating the effects of climate change.
