The Earth is experiencing its 11th consecutive month of record-breaking heat, with warmer weather spreading across Asia and a hotter-than-usual summer expected in Europe. Last month’s temperatures were globally 1.58C (2.8F) above historical averages, making it the hottest April on record. Over the past 12 months, temperatures have been 1.61C higher than pre-industrial levels, surpassing the 1.5C threshold that could pose a threat to life on the planet.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service, part of the European Union, has reported these alarming figures. According to Carlo Buontempo, director of the service, while temperature fluctuations related to natural cycles like El Niño may come and go, the additional energy trapped in the ocean and atmosphere due to increasing greenhouse gas concentrations will continue to push global temperatures to new records. The Copernicus program is the world’s largest provider of climate data and uses data from billions of measurements collected from satellites, ships, aircraft, and weather stations worldwide for its monthly and seasonal forecasts.
In Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, Thailand, people are already preparing for hotter-than-normal days as a result of El Niño weather pattern forecasted until June. This article highlights not only the ongoing trend of record-breaking heat but also its potential consequences on our planet’s future if we don’t take action now.
As we continue to witness this trend of record-breaking heat across different regions worldwide, it becomes increasingly clear that human activities such as burning fossil fuels are contributing significantly to this phenomenon known as global warming or climate change. It is crucial that governments around the world take immediate action by implementing policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable practices in order to mitigate these extreme weather conditions before it’s too late.
The Copernicus program plays a vital role in monitoring these changes and providing us with valuable data that can inform policy decisions aimed at mitigating their effects. We must work together to ensure that our planet remains livable for future generations by taking action today.
A photo captured in Bangkok shows a man unloading blocks of ice from a truck amidst high temperatures on Sunday April 28th., 2024 highlighting how some countries are already preparing for hotter than normal days due to El Niño weather pattern forecasted until June.
In conclusion, while there may be temporary fluctuations in temperature caused by natural cycles such as El Niño or La Niña patterns, it is clear that humanity’s contribution through increasing greenhouse gas concentrations is driving global temperatures beyond historical norms at an unprecedented rate. As we look towards a future with more frequent heatwaves and other extreme weather events driven by climate change, it is critical that we act now with urgency and conviction before it’s too late for our planet’s ecosystems and inhabitants alike.