LONDON: As the planet grapples with the severe effects of climate change, global temperatures continue to soar. Preliminary data from a European Union monitoring agency indicates that Monday, July 22, 2024, has set a new record for the hottest day ever, surpassing the temperature recorded on Sunday, July 21, 2024.
Key Highlights:
- Copernicus Climate Change Service: The agency, which has been monitoring temperature patterns since 1940, reported that the global average surface air temperature on Monday reached 17.15°C, 0.06°C higher than Sunday.
- Historical Context: The previous record for the hottest day was set for four consecutive days in early July 2023. Before that, the record was held since August 2016.
Expert Insights:
Karsten Haustein, a climate scientist at Leipzig University in Germany, remarked, “This past Monday might have set a new global record for warmest absolute global average temperature ever — by that I mean going back tens of thousands of years.”
Global Heatwave Impact:
- Asia: Cities in Japan, Indonesia, and China have recorded unprecedented heat levels.
- Gulf Countries: The heat index, which includes humidity, has exceeded 60°C.
- Europe: Temperatures in some parts have surged past 45°C.
Climate Change Attribution:
Scientists attribute these extreme temperature records to climate change, driven primarily by the burning of fossil fuels. Unlike the previous year, where the El Niño climate pattern exacerbated the situation, this year’s record-breaking temperatures have occurred in neutral conditions, making the phenomenon even more remarkable, according to Haustein.
These developments highlight the urgent need for global action to mitigate the impacts of climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
