Scientists Confirm July as Hottest Month on Record, Indicating Escalating Global Warming Crisis
Scientists from the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) have officially declared that the first three weeks of July have been the hottest weeks ever recorded in history. They further emphasize that July is highly likely to become the warmest month ever recorded. “It is virtually certain we will break the record for the warmest July on record and the warmest month on record unless an ice age suddenly emerges,” stated Carlo Buentempo from the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.
“The era of global warming has ended; the era of global boiling has arrived,” expressed U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres during the press conference, succinctly summarizing the findings.
In line with the predictions, scientists, including those at Copernicus, believe that the current temperatures are unprecedented in the last 120,000 years, based on climate data collected over millennia, CNN reported.
This scorching summer has affected approximately 150 million Americans, as the ongoing heatwave has now reached the Midwest and Northeast regions, following its initial impact on the Southwest and Florida. An extraordinary heat index of 104°F and 107°F is projected in Washington, D.C., on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Meanwhile, El Paso, Texas, has experienced over 100°F temperatures for an unprecedented 41 consecutive days, while Phoenix has set a new national record with 26 consecutive days surpassing 110°F. Pavement temperatures have soared to 170°F, leading to burn cases in Las Vegas. This extreme heat wave is not an isolated incident and has prevailed globally throughout the summer. June 2023 was globally the hottest June ever recorded.
The consequences of this extreme heat are alarming. Emergency rooms have seen a significant surge in patients with heat-related ailments. Additionally, the increased demand for air conditioning is straining power grids, prompting energy emergency alerts across the United States.
Although air temperature alone was the focus of Thursday’s announcement, it is vital to note that the heat has impacted oceans as well. Recently, a buoy in Manatee Bay, Florida, recorded the highest water temperature in history at a scorching 101.1°F.
Behind the Heat: Climate Change
Scientists attribute this intense heat to climate change, which is primarily caused by the continuous burning of fossil fuels. Petteri Taalas, the Secretary-General of the WMO, highlights that the extreme weather events witnessed globally in July are dire proofs of climate change’s reality and represent a glimpse of a future dominated by these harsh conditions.
While an El Niño weather pattern, characterized by warm ocean water, is occurring in 2023, similar to the 2016 El Niño year, scientists stress that the reason behind the current hottest years on record is the constant rise in baseline temperatures due to increased emissions.
Renowned climate scientist Michael E. Mann illustrates that global surface temperatures are consistently 0.2-0.3°C hotter than the previous year, regardless of La Niña or El Niño conditions, demonstrating the profound impact of fossil fuel burning and carbon pollution.
Furthermore, a recent study from World Weather Attribution revealed that the extreme heatwaves experienced in July would have been nearly impossible without climate change. This study confirms that global warming has intensified the current heatwave in Southern Europe by an additional 2.5°C (4.5°F), leading to devastating wildfires.
Global Response
In response to the increasing severity of the climate crisis, U.N. Secretary-General Guterres urges world leaders to establish more ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This call for action aligns with the concerns raised by climate scientists.
Later on Thursday, President Biden unveiled a comprehensive plan to address extreme heat in the United States. The plan includes increased workplace inspections to ensure safety during heatwaves, as well as stricter enforcement of regulations regarding heat safety violations.
As President Biden aptly put it: “I don’t think anybody can deny the impact of climate change anymore.”
