BRUSSELS: The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has said that June was the hottest on record worldwide, surpassing the previous high set in 2023. This announcement comes amidst a relentless streak of extreme weather events that have characterized the first half of the year, from scorching heatwaves to devastating floods.
Carlo Buontempo, Director of C3S, emphasized the significance of this record-breaking trend, stating that every month since June 2023 has seen new temperature highs, highlighting a profound and ongoing shift in global climate patterns. He said that this is more than just a statistical anomaly, it reflects a substantial and continuing change in our climate system. He said that this was “inevitable” as long as humanity kept adding heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. He warned that while the current streak of extremes may eventually subside, the trajectory suggests that new temperature records will continue to be set as global temperatures rise.
The global average temperature for June 2024, which exceeded the previous record, has been a focal point in a year marked by extreme climate events across various continents. From widespread heatwaves affecting regions like India, the United States, and Mexico, to catastrophic flooding in Kenya, China, Brazil, Afghanistan, Russia, and France, and wildfires in Greece and Canada, the impact of these weather phenomena has been severe and widespread.
A senior scientist at C3S, Julien Nicolas, said that the record-breaking temperatures coincide with the natural climate phenomenon El Niño, contributing to elevated global temperatures. Additionally, he highlighted that record-high sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic, Northern Pacific, and Indian Ocean have also played a significant role in driving global heat levels to unprecedented heights.
