933. Global Average Temperature in 2023 1.48°C Higher than Pre-Industrial Revolution

On January 9, the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the European Union's weather information agency, officially announced that the global average temperature in 2023 will reach a historic high, exceeding levels recorded since 1850 by 1.48°C. This significant increase brings the world dangerously close to the Paris Agreement's target of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Last year's projections indicated that 2023 would break records for the highest temperatures ever recorded. However, the actual average temperature of 14.98°C exceeded expectations and was 0.17°C higher than the previous record set in 2016. Throughout 2023, the global average temperature consistently exceeded the 1850-1900 average by 1°C and exceeded the average of the last 30 years (1991-2020) by 0.6°C. In particular, two days in November marked the first time that temperatures exceeded pre-industrial levels by more than 2°C. Monthly temperature records were rewritten from June to December, with July and August reaching the highest and second-highest temperatures on record. December 2023 stood out, being 0.85°C warmer than the same month in 1991-2020 and 1.78°C warmer than the same month in 1850-1900. Virtually all oceans and continents, except Australia, experienced temperatures that were either the highest on record or comparable to previous records.

Researchers suggest that the 12-month average temperature could exceed 1.5°C by January or February this year. More worrying is the fear that a prolonged breach of the 1.5°C limit could lead to heatwaves exceeding the threshold for human survival in several regions, as the Earth's ecosystem would not be able to adapt to the changes.

In response, the researchers emphasize the urgent need to decarbonize the economy now, while preparing for the future based on climate science.

Contributor: IIYAMA Miyuki (Information Program)