“a glance at the range of events happening around the globe right now – wildfires, flooding, heatwaves – tells us that we are not remotely prepared for the extremes that this warmer world has bought us”
– Prof Peter Thorne @ICARUS_Maynooth @Maynoothgeoghttps://t.co/dTypuIhtnk pic.twitter.com/GX0dtErCqG
— Maynooth University (@MaynoothUni) July 24, 2024
The planet broke the record for the hottest day ever recorded twice this week amid a series of summer heat waves blistering North America. Scientists warn that human-caused greenhouse gas emissions could accelerate the pace of climate change. The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service recorded the hottest day on Earth on Sunday, and then again on Monday.
Our #StateOfUKClimate report reveals climate change is causing a dramatic increase in the frequency of temperature extremes & number of temperature records the UK experiences.
Find out more here 👇https://t.co/BbssOPnqNy@RMetS@wileyinresearch@NOCnews@WoodlandTrust
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 25, 2024
The global average surface air temperature on Monday, July 22, reached 17.15 degrees Celsius (62.87 degrees Fahrenheit), according to data from Copernicus, making it the hottest day since at least 1940. This surpassed a world record set just one day earlier at 17.09 degrees Celsius (62.76 degrees Fahrenheit). Copernicus director Carlo Buontempo stated, “We are now in truly uncharted territory, and as the climate keeps warming, we are bound to see new records being broken in future months and years.”
A record hot June – red shading shows warmer than average temperatures…
The average global air temperature was:
+1.21°C above 1951-1980 baseline
+1.38°C above 1921-1950 baseline
+1.50°C above 1880-1920 baselineData source code: https://t.co/DXbFxLLHlC pic.twitter.com/C38jBmxekJ
— Zack Labe (@ZLabe) July 25, 2024
Scientists have repeatedly warned that rising global temperatures could bring catastrophic consequences if no action is taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Sunday's record as the hottest day ever lasted one day.
Monday is the new record holder.
We are mobilising more money, more resources, and more people than ever to tackle the climate crisis, and we need to keep stepping our actions up.https://t.co/zJ0cVA1bbE
— Green Party Ireland (@greenparty_ie) July 25, 2024
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change reported in 2022 that by 2030, those emissions could rise over 10% above 2010 levels, drastically reducing the chances of meeting a monumental goal laid out at the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by 2100. U.N. scientists have projected that by 2033, the world could pass that 1.5-degree Celsius threshold, likely triggering more intense droughts, flooding, and water security issues. The global record comes as tens of thousands of cities and towns across the U.S. set their own temperature records.
For instance, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has done so 20 times since Memorial Day, and Portland, Oregon; Tampa, Florida; and New Orleans have set daily records on seven occasions this summer. In the Southwest, Albuquerque reached a new all-time record last month at a staggering 113 degrees Fahrenheit, while Las Vegas broke its all-time high temperature record by four degrees earlier this month with a high of 120 degrees. The American Red Cross advises against drinking alcohol and caffeinated drinks during heat waves, and cautions against consuming sugar-heavy foods and drinks that can accelerate dehydration.
Hottest day on record again
Heavy meals can also cause body heat to rise due to increased digestion, creating a two-pronged feeling of intensive heat when outside temperatures increase. Spicy food, on the other hand, could prove beneficial by accelerating sweating.
With sea surface temperatures rising and a weather phenomenon dampening wind shear in the Atlantic, forecasters warn that the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season could be among the most active on record. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts between 17 and 25 named storms, well above the 14 recorded on average over the past 30 years during the hurricane season (June 1 to November 30). Of these storms, NOAA forecasts that eight to 13 will become hurricanes, including up to seven major ones (maximum sustained wind speeds of at least 111 mph).
On Tuesday, global temperatures saw a slight decrease after two days of record highs, making it only the world’s second-hottest day ever measured. The European climate service Copernicus reported that Tuesday’s global average temperature was 0.01 Celsius (0.01 Fahrenheit) lower than Monday’s all-time high of 17.16 degrees Celsius (62.8 degrees Fahrenheit). Stanford University climate scientist Chris Field expressed concerns about the relentless pattern of record-setting high temperatures.
“The steady drumbeat of hottest-day-ever records and near-records is concerning for three main reasons. The first is that heat is a killer. The second is that the health impacts of heat waves become much more serious when events persist.
The third is that the hottest-day records this year are a surprise,” Field explained. He noted that these record temperatures underscore the seriousness of the climate crisis, even though high temperatures typically occur during El Nino years — a natural warming of the equatorial Pacific that triggers weather extremes globally.
Johannah Lopez is a versatile professional who seamlessly navigates two worlds. By day, she excels as a SaaS freelance writer, crafting informative and persuasive content for tech companies. By night, she showcases her vibrant personality and customer service skills as a part-time bartender. Johannah's ability to blend her writing expertise with her social finesse makes her a well-rounded and engaging storyteller in any setting.
