Record-Breaking: Humanity Endured the Hottest 12 Months in Over 125,000 Years
Unprecedented global heat in the past 12 months surpasses records from the past 125,000 years, leaving scientists to liken it to a catastrophic movie plot Startling new data unveils the exceptional nature of these weather extremes
Since June, the world has experienced a continuous heatwave. Scientists are comparing this year's climate-change effects to a catastrophic movie, including soaring temperatures, wildfires, storms, and floods. Recent data confirms that the global heat has reached an extraordinary level. Two major reports, published this week, depict a concerning scenario of this unprecedented heat. One report reveals that humanity has just witnessed the hottest 12-month period in at least 125,000 years. The other report predicts that 2023 is highly likely to be the hottest year ever recorded, following five consecutive months of record-breaking temperatures.
"We have grown accustomed to climate records toppling one after another in recent years," explained David Reay, the executive director of the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute at the University of Edinburgh, in an interview with CNN. "However, the year 2023 marks a significant departure from this pattern, with records being shattered by an unprecedented margin."
Based on an analysis of international data conducted by the nonprofit research group Climate Central and published on Thursday, the period from November 2022 to the end of October 2023 has emerged as the hottest 12-month period, with an average temperature surpassing pre-industrial levels by 1.32 degrees Celsius.
In Soure city on the Marajo island in Brazil, a local takes advantage of a neighbour's donation and fills a plastic water bottle during a scorching heat wave on September 30, 2023. The temperature soared to 39 degrees Celsius. The lack of access to drinking water remains a constant issue in many neighborhoods, primarily due to the negligence of local authorities in Ilha do Marajo. (Photo by Paulo Amorim/Sipa USA)(Sipa via AP Images)
Paulo Amorim/Sipa/AP
Scientist calls record global heat in September gobsmackingly bananas
El Niño, a natural ocean and weather phenomenon occurring in the tropical Pacific, is currently starting to raise temperatures, according to the report. The significant and enduring trend of global warming is mainly caused by the combustion of fossil fuels, which emit heat-trapping gases.
"These temperatures are not within the range of what is considered normal. It is not the kind of temperatures we should be encountering," stated Andrew Pershing, Climate Central's Vice President for Science, during a press conference call. "We are facing these temperatures solely because we have excessively emitted carbon dioxide into the atmosphere."
Researchers found that 90% of the global population, amounting to 7.3 billion people, experienced a significant increase in high temperatures for at least 10 days, accompanied by distinct climate indicators. In India, 86% of the population, which is approximately 1.2 billion people, encountered at least 30 days of high temperatures, with climate change amplifying this occurrence by three times. Similarly, in the United States, around 88 million people, constituting 26% of the population, were subjected to elevated temperatures.
Several cities in the US, specifically in the South and Southwest, were severely affected. Houston notably endured the longest continuous period of extreme heat among major cities worldwide, lasting for 22 consecutive days between July and August, according to the report.
According to the report, only two countries, Iceland and Lesotho, had temperatures below average during this period.
A temperature display reading 99 degrees Fahrenheit (37.2 degrees Celsius) in Houston, Texas, on June 21, 2023.
According to Climate Central, their recent findings coincide with another analysis released by the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service on Wednesday. The latter report stated that 2023 is highly likely to become the hottest year ever recorded.
October 2023 has experienced extraordinary temperature anomalies, continuing the trend of global temperature records being shattered for the past four months, stated Samantha Burgess, deputy director of Copernicus.
Since June, every month has broken monthly heat records and every month since July has exceeded pre-industrial levels by at least 1.5 degrees Celsius. The average temperature for the year so far is 1.43 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, which is dangerously close to the internationally agreed goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Although scientists primarily focus on long-term temperature trends, the past few months above this threshold have provided a worrisome preview of what lies ahead as global warming intensifies.
On a scorching day in Beijing, a security guard adorned with an electric fan around his neck gently wipes away his sweat. This Monday, July 3, 2023 scene occurred amidst heavy flooding that has displaced numerous individuals across China. The capital, however, experienced a momentary relief from the sweltering heat. According to the National Climate Center, Beijing endured a continuous period of 9.8 days with temperatures surpassing 35°C (95°F). Captured by AP photographer Andy Wong, this photograph encapsulates the struggles faced by individuals navigating through the extreme weather conditions.
Andy Wong/AP
The planet saw its hottest day on record this week. Its a record that will be broken again and again
"The potential consequences of this additional heat are well comprehended," stated Hannah Cloke, a climate scientist and professor at the University of Reading in the UK. "We are already witnessing its effects through heightened storm activity, increased precipitation and flooding, as well as more frequent, prolonged, and intense heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires."
Apart from the unprecedented land temperatures, ocean temperatures have continued to rise. Since May, they have consistently reached record highs, as reported by Copernicus. This has contributed to the rapid formation of hurricanes and tropical storms across the globe, including Hurricane Otis, which recently struck Southern Mexico."
According to the report, Antarctic sea ice remained at record-low levels for the sixth month in a row. Reay described the 2023 data on air temperatures, sea temperatures, sea ice, and more as resembling a scene from a disaster movie.
Friederike Otto, a senior lecturer in climate science at the Grantham Institute, Imperial College London, expressed that the statistics in these reports are not only enormous and alarming but also hide a truly terrifying reality. She stated that the record-breaking heat we are witnessing signifies unparalleled human suffering. As we approach the end of 2023, the relentless heat shows no signs of relenting.
This photo captures an aerial view of the Jon Amos Power plant in Coal, Poca, West Virginia. The image prominently showcases its smoke stacks and cooling system. (Photo by: Visions of America/Joseph Sohm/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Visions of America/Joseph Sohm/Universal Images Group/Getty Images
The world is planning to blow the fossil fuels production limit that would keep a lid on global heating, report says
In China, more than 12 monthly temperature records were shattered on Monday, as temperatures soared to 34 degrees Celsius (93 Fahrenheit) in certain areas. Similarly, in the US, numerous heat records have been surpassed this week, as parts of Texas reached 93 degrees Fahrenheit on Wednesday, surpassing previous November records.
Furthermore, it is anticipated that the trend of record-breaking temperatures will persist into the following year. Pershing stated, "El Niño is projected to have a significant impact next year, intensifying the warming trend as we approach 2024."
The upcoming UN COP28 climate conference in Dubai this December is even more crucial due to the unprecedented global heat. During the conference, countries will assess their progress towards achieving the goal of the Paris Climate Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. Clear scientific consensus dictates that we must halt the combustion of oil, gas, and coal. However, a recent UN report reveals that governments are intending to extract over twice the permitted amount of fossil fuels, surpassing the limit required to limit global heating to 1.5C degrees.
Reay pointed out that the staggering rise in global temperatures and the extensive melting of sea ice is surpassed only by our ongoing inability to align with the Paris climate objectives. Support for this report was provided by CNN's Robert Shackelford, Sara Tonks, and Brandon Miller.
