1.5 Degrees Of Global Warming Hit In July; Experts Warn More Record-Breaking Temperatures, Adverse Impact To Ecosystem

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The month of July hit a 1.5 degrees of global warming threshold and scientists are not happy with how this phenomenon will affect the environment.

According to a report published on CNN, the 1.5 degrees Celsius average global temperature last month was found to be warmer than what was observed during the pre-industrial era.

Scientists said the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold is considered as significant because the figure shows a key tipping point for the planet. Because of this, the chances of extreme hot weather, floods, drought, wildfires, as well as food and water shortages will frequently happen in the future.

The global warming threshold came after various countries had experienced a series of deadly heat waves and record-breaking temperatures. The earth also encountered an unprecedented ocean heat, scientists have observed.

Consequences

Based on official information, the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has pointed out that the global average surface air temperature in July was confirmed to be the highest that was put on record for any month.

A CNBC report said that this figure would have dire consequences for both the public and the entire planet as this will expose the earth to more frequent and intense extreme events.

In relation to this, the global average sea surface temperatures have also continued to rise in July, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service. The experts have observed that this had happened after a long period of unusually high temperatures which started back in April.

The global warming threshold was reached following a collation of measurements from the satellites, ships, aircraft and weather stations around the world. It can be observed that these had followed a series of record-breaking heat waves from various multiple regions.

Samantha Burgess, who serves as deputy director of C3S, noted that even if the threshold was temporary, "it shows the urgency for ambitious efforts to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, which are the main driver behind these records."

Meanwhile, scientist Rebecca Emerton said it is important to monitor the possible changes with this threshold. She said in the CNN report that as the temperatures continue to rise across multiple regions, the impacts will continue to become more serious.

"Even if the climate crisis does not accelerate, but continues on its current trajectory, we will see more days, weeks, months and years with record-breaking temperatures, and other impacts on our Earth system," Emerton said in the report.

She added that the public would have to exhaust all efforts in order to reduce emissions and limit future warming.

El Niño

Experts warned that the El Niño phenomenon could also affect the global warming threshold. It is already predicted by Copernicus that as the current El Niño continues to develop "there is good reason to expect periods in the coming twelve months during which the global-mean air temperature again exceeds pre-industrial levels by more than 1.5 degree Celsius."

Scientists said the remainder of 2023 is likely to be comparatively warm.

Apart from the abnormal warming of sea surface temperature in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, the El Niño phenomenon is characterized by below-normal rainfall.

Officials declared the onset of El Niño on July 4 as they warned that its return could pave the way for extreme weather conditions.