838. Multiple Indicators of Global Temperature Reach New Highs

On August 8, the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the European Union's meteorological observation agency, announced that in July 2023, multiple indicators related to global temperatures reached record highs in observational history dating back to 1940.

The average temperature this July was 16.95°C, significantly higher than the 16.63°C recorded in July 2018, making it the hottest month in observational history. On July 6, the temperature reached 17.08°C, setting a new record for the highest temperature ever recorded. Temperatures in the first and third weeks of July briefly exceeded those of the industrial era, as defined by the Paris Agreement, by more than 1.5°C. This heat can be attributed to unusually high sea surface temperatures that have persisted since mid-May. On July 31, the temperature of 20.96°C exceeded the previous record of 20.95°C observed on March 29, 2016.

While the Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C, the world's average temperature had already reached 1.22°C by June 2023. If the trend of the past 30 years continues, it is predicted that it could reach 1.5°C by 2035.

Currently, abnormal weather patterns are being reported worldwide, and scientists are undeniably attributing a role to anthropogenic climate change. They also mention the possibility of worsening conditions not limited to July 2023.

Efforts to adapt to climate change and mitigate it by reducing greenhouse gas emissions are urgently needed.
 

Pick Up will be on summer break starting tomorrow. We will resume on August 18 (Friday).

Contributor: IIYAMA Miyuki (Information Program)