1. 2023 officially declared the hottest year on record.
2. Copernicus Climate Change Service reports the average global temperature of 14.98°C.
3. Scientists warn of potential for even higher temperatures in 2024.
Brussels, Jan 10: The year 2023 has officially been declared the hottest on record, according to scientists. The Copernicus Climate Change Service, a branch of the European Union, reported that the average global temperature for the year was 14.98°C. This surpassed the previous record set in 2016 by a significant margin of 0.17°C.
Unprecedented Temperatures and Monthly Records
Copernicus attributes the record-breaking temperatures to an “unprecedented” global heatwave from June onwards. Every month from June to December was warmer than the corresponding month in any previous year. July and August emerged as the two warmest months ever recorded, contributing to the warmest Boreal summer (June to August) and the warmest December globally.
Near the Critical Threshold
The overall temperature increase in 2023 was 1.48°C compared to pre-industrial times before significant carbon emissions. This places the Earth dangerously close to the critical threshold of 1.5°C set in the Paris climate agreement. Copernicus warns that there’s a high likelihood of exceeding this threshold for the 12 months ending in January or February 2024.
Also Read: North India Experiences Cold Wave as Delhi Records Coldest Day of the Season
Impact on Regions
The record-breaking temperatures had tangible effects across the globe. Areas in the U.S., including New Orleans, Houston, Miami, and Portland, experienced new record highs. Similar extremes were observed in regions from China to Rome.
While natural climate variations like El Niño and La Niña play a role, scientists emphasize that human activities, particularly the release of greenhouse gases, have pushed the climate beyond natural limits.
Environmental Tipping Points
Experts stress that the Earth’s complex system is nearing environmental tipping points from which recovery may be impossible. The consequences include an increase in climate-related disasters such as storms, wildfires, droughts, and floods.
The warming climate has direct health impacts, leading to illness and fatalities due to extreme heat. These disasters are expected to intensify both in frequency and severity unless urgent action is taken.
Urgent Call for Carbon Emission Reductions
To mitigate the impact of climate change and prevent irreversible damage, swift and drastic cuts to carbon emissions are essential. Transitioning away from fossil fuels towards cleaner energy sources is a critical step. Global agreements on climate change aim to facilitate this transition, but achieving consensus among nations has proven challenging.
Disparities in historic emissions, economic reliance on fossil fuels, and varying impacts of climate change contribute to differing perspectives on fairness and achievability.
The record-setting temperatures of 2023 underscore the urgency for collective action to curb climate change, protect the environment, and secure a sustainable future.
