Climate Crisis Deepens: Copernicus, the EU’s climate agency, found that air and ocean temperatures are rising faster than ever during a hot summer. This shocking news is made worse by a flood of temperature records showing that our planet’s path has changed into uncharted territory, alarming climate change scientists. On Tuesday, the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) reported that the average air temperature at Earth’s surface was the highest it has ever been. July 2023 set a new record for warmth. July is 1.5°C warmer than the 18501900 average. Huge difference. It’s 0.33 degrees Celsius warmer than July 2019’s warmest..
In July, rising sea surface temperatures add to this climate crescendo. Since April, readings have been high. The world’s sea surface temperature has risen 0.51 degrees Celsius above the 1991-2020 baseline. This data, painstakingly compiled from satellites, ships, planes, and weather stations worldwide, shows that heat waves are getting stronger and wreaking havoc in many places.
This phenomenon has engulfed Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia in flames. South American countries are experiencing record-high winter solstice temperatures. C3S deputy director Samantha Burgess beautifully sums up the importance of these climate changes by saying that these records are more than just numbers; they have real effects on people and the fragile planet we live on.
Extreme events are happening more often and stronger, leading us to nature’s wrath. Our planet is in a climate crisis as the heatwave continues. In response, the clarion call for coordinated and ambitious steps to stop the world’s voracious appetite for greenhouse gas emissions rings out with a new urgency, cutting through apathy. The Copernicus Climate Change Service and UN World Meteorological Organization sound alarms again. The first three weeks of July signal the apocalyptic weather crescendo.
This fiery time will forever remind us of the climate emergency. The climate emergency caused the unprecedented global heatwave. Meteorological scientists argue for immediate greenhouse gas emission reductions, echoing concerned citizens. This requires immediate and thorough action.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service imagines a view beyond the horizon to show progress. 2023 is already claiming to be the third-hottest year on record, a scary sign of our global mess. The gap between this year’s data and 2016’s hot benchmark peak indicates a convergence. The mild end of 2016 and the expectation that El Nio will keep 2023 warm are responsible for this bridge.
El Nio, nature’s mysterious climate pattern, is now contributing to global warming. This naturally raises global temperatures. On July 4, the UN’s meteorological arm announced it, indicating bad weather ahead. Secretary-General António Guterres joins the UN’s New York City warnings. In a powerful July 27 speech, he declared our time “global boiling.”
Guterres clearly blames humans. Science and repeated warnings support his claim. As the climate changes at an alarming rate, the call to action is clear: climate change is now part of our lives, ushering in a scary time that is just a preview of what’s to come.
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Our Reader’s Queries
What happens if we do nothing to stop climate change?
Unchecked, these impacts will continue to spread and worsen, devastating our homes, cities, economies, and food and water supplies. They also pose a threat to the species, ecosystems, and biodiversity of our planet, which is the only home we have.
Can we stop global warming?
Climate change is inevitable, but we have the power to delay its impact. To prevent the most severe effects of climate change, we must achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 or earlier. Net zero entails ensuring that the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere is no greater than the amount removed.
Are we already in a climate crisis?
Human activity has already triggered significant climate shifts, with more on the way. But if we cease emitting greenhouse gases now, the climb in global temperatures would level off in just a few years.
Is climate change improving?
The outlook for climate change in 2024 is grim. Despite efforts to prevent it and advancements in technology, the reality is that things are not looking up. Unfortunately, the forecast for climate change in 2024 and the future is only predicting more trouble ahead.