The European Union’s climate monitoring service (C3S) dropped a bombshell this week. June 2024 wasn’t just hot – it was the hottest June ever recorded. This scorching data extends a disturbing trend: every month since June 2023 (13 in total) now holds the record for the hottest in history.
Scientists warn 2024 is on pace to become the hottest year ever. The culprit? A combination of human-caused climate change and the El Nino weather phenomenon that’s pushing global temperatures to unprecedented highs.
The consequences of this altered climate are already devastating. Over 1,000 lives were tragically lost to extreme heat during the recent Hajj pilgrimage. Brutal heatwaves have caused fatalities in New Dehli and among tourists in Greece.
C3S scientists compared their data (spanning back to 1940) with other sources to confirm June’s record-breaking status. They found it to be the hottest June since the pre-industrial period (1850-1900).
The culprit behind this warming trend is clear: greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels. Despite pledges to curb emissions, nations have collectively failed to make significant reductions. This inaction has resulted in a steady rise in global temperatures for decades.
The scientific community is urging immediate action. We must transition away from fossil fuels and embrace renewable energy sources. The future of our planet depends on it.
“There’s a near-certain chance, around 95%, that 2024 will surpass 2023 as the hottest year on record.”
Reference- Reuters Article, Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) Monthly Bulletin, Berkeley Earth Inputs