Record-breaking heat is continuing to sweep across the globe as Earth experiences its 11th consecutive month of record-breaking temperatures. The hotter-than-usual summer expected in Europe is just one example of the extreme weather conditions that are becoming increasingly common.
Last month’s temperatures globally were 1.58C (2.8F) above historical averages, making it the hottest April on record. Over the past 12 months, temperatures have been 1.61C higher than pre-industrial levels, surpassing the 1.5C threshold that could pose a threat to life on the planet.
The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that last month’s temperatures were largely driven by natural cycles like El Niño, but added that the additional energy trapped in the ocean and atmosphere due to increasing greenhouse gas concentrations will continue to push global temperatures to new records. Copernicus Director Carlo Buontempo emphasized this point, stating that while temperature fluctuations related to natural cycles like El Niño may come and go, the long-term trend of rising global temperatures is here to stay.
The Copernicus program utilizes data from billions of measurements collected from satellites, ships, aircraft, and weather stations worldwide for its monthly and seasonal forecasts. This allows them to provide accurate predictions about future weather conditions and their potential consequences for people and ecosystems around the world.
In a photo captured in Bangkok, Thailand, a man unloads blocks of ice from a truck amidst high temperatures on Sunday, April 28, 2024. Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy has been preparing for hotter-than-normal days as a result of the El Niño weather pattern forecasted to last until June. This article highlights the ongoing trend of record-breaking heat and the potential consequences of rising global temperatures.
Overall, it is clear that climate change is having significant impacts on our planet and we must take action now before it is too late