12-Month Heat Streak: Earth Endured 1 Year Of Unprecedented Heat

(Photo : Getty Images/Spencer Platt)

The Copernicus Climate Change Service of the European Union reported that the world has now seen a full year of consecutive monthly heat records.

Climatic Milestone

It coincides with the report reaching a concerning climatic milestone: according to data, May of this year was the hottest on record, bringing the total number of months of record-breaking global heat to twelve.

Additionally, the average global temperature was at least 1.5 degrees Celsius higher than the pre-industrial norm for the eleventh consecutive month. The globe is approaching a significant milestone in terms of climate change if that trend persists.

Copernicus revealed that the worldwide average temperature from June 2023 to May 2024 was 1.63 degrees Celsius over the pre-industrial average, while the average temperature in May was 1.52 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average.

The time before there was a significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions, which warm the world by trapping solar heat in the Earth's atmosphere, is referred to as the pre-industrial average.

Experts have long cautioned that in order to lower the risk of widespread damage brought on by rising global temperatures, average global temperatures should be maintained at or below that threshold by no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Increased precipitation and melting sea ice due to global warming contribute to extreme weather conditions that can cause coastal shifts, agricultural problems, mass migration, and detrimental health effects.

The 12-month streak "is shocking but not surprising," according to Carlo Buontempo, director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service. He added that although there would probably be a break in the streak eventually, "the overall signature of climate change remains."

"There is no sign in sight of a change in such a trend," he said. "We are living in unprecedented times. ... This string of hottest months will be remembered as comparatively cold," he added.

Godfathers Of Climate Chaos

Copernicus' findings were made public on the same day that United Nations Secretary General António Guterres delivered a passionate speech about climate change in New York, denouncing fossil fuel companies as the "godfathers of climate chaos" and, for the first time, specifically urging all nations to outlaw the promotion of fossil fuel-derived goods.

In order to avoid potentially deadly tipping points, Guterres urged international leaders to act quickly to stem the rapidly worsening climate disaster.

"Extreme events turbocharged by climate chaos are piling up, destroying lives, pummeling economies, and hammering health," Gutteres said.

As time runs out to turn around, the UN official called for a 30% reduction in the world's production and consumption of fossil fuels by 2030.

Gutteres also urges every nation to outlaw advertising from fossil fuel businesses, drawing a parallel with many governments' prohibitions on advertising for dangerous substances like tobacco. I, on the other hand, urge news media and internet companies to cease accepting fossil fuel advertising.

The primary driver of climate change, carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels, reached a record high last year despite international agreements to limit their release and a sharp increase in the use of renewable energy sources.