June 2024 marked the 13th consecutive month that global temperatures surpassed the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold above pre-industrial levels, according to data from multiple sources including Copernicus Climate Change Service and the European Union's Earth observation programme.
The persistent warming trend has significant implications for climate change, as it increases the likelihood of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, floods, and storms. These conditions have already led to numerous health issues including heat-related illnesses and deaths.
According to Copernicus Director Carlo Buontempo, this record-breaking streak is a stark warning that new records are bound to be broken as the climate continues to warm. June's global average temperature of 16.66 degrees Celsius (61.98 degrees Fahrenheit) was precisely 1.5 degrees Celsius above the estimated pre-industrial average.
Brenda Ekwurzel, director of climate science at the Union of Concerned Scientists, noted that we have been hovering around what the Paris agreement set as a threshold. She emphasized that this does not mean that the Paris accord has already failed because its 1.5-degree threshold is measured in averages reached over decades, not single months or years.
Despite these warnings, some countries continue to contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, which exacerbate global warming. For instance, Saudi Arabia recently announced plans to increase oil production and invest in new fossil fuel projects.
In the United States, nearly all regions are projected to experience warmer-than-average temperatures during July, August, and September. This trend is expected to have significant impacts on agriculture and ecosystems.
It is crucial for individuals, governments, and organizations to take action in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning towards renewable energy sources in order to mitigate the worst effects of climate change.
