World temperature records were shattered on Sunday, marking potentially the hottest day ever recorded by scientists.
The average surface air temperature reached 17.09°C (62.76°F) according to preliminary data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service, which has been collecting data since 1940. This surpassed the previous record of 17.08°C (62.74°F), set on July 6th last year but with no statistically significant difference noted by scientists.
"The contrast between temperatures from the past 13 months and historic records is staggering," said Copernicus director, Carlo Buontempo. "We're entering truly uncharted territory – as climate continues to warm, breaking new records will become increasingly likely."
As large parts of the globe experience extreme heat waves, this contributes to an increase in devastating wildfenas and related health issues. Climate scientist Zeke Hausfather sees this record as "a worrying sign" after 13 consecutive record-breaking months and anticipates that 2024 may surpass the record set in 2023 for annual temperature highs.
The global warming trend is expected to slow later in the year if a weather pattern shifts into a cooler phase known as La Niña, though this does not alter the long-term heating of the planet caused by greenhouse gas emissions.
Peter Thorne, director at Maynooth University's Icarus centre and coauthor on an IPCC report, suggests that if net zero emissions are achieved promptly, current temperature records could be considered "anomalously cool" in hindsight. However, the present extreme weather events indicate a lack of preparedness for future climate-related challenges.
Copernicus data from earlier this month showed 12 consecutive months with global temperatures 1.5°C (2.7°F) or higher than pre-fossil fuel era averages – a stark reminder that current policies may not suffice to limit warming at the desired target of less than 1.5°C by century's end.
Global temperatures have already increased by 1.3°C and current plans are projected to reach an even more alarming 2.5°C increase. To avoid catastrophic effects, substantial reductions in fossil fuel demand must occur by the mid-century goal of net zero emissions.
Vanesa Castán Broto from the University of Sheffield and a member of the IPCC emphasizes that while reaching net zero appears dauninascent, there is hope for change if significant steps are taken to reduce carbon emissions. "When we break through this challenge," she says, "we'll have secured our planet's future."
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