Sunday, July 21, 2024, has gone down in history as the hottest day ever recorded globally, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. The global average surface air temperature on that day reached a staggering 17.09 degrees Celsius (62.76 degrees Fahrenheit), just surpassing the previous record of 17.08 C (62.74 F) set in July of the previous year.
Heatwaves Sweep Across Continents
Large swathes of the United States, Europe, and Russia have been scorched by relentless heatwaves over the past week. These regions have experienced extreme temperatures, putting a significant strain on infrastructure, health services, and ecosystems.
Breaking Records: A Confirmation
Copernicus confirmed to Reuters that the record for daily temperature average, previously set last year, appeared to have been broken on Sunday. The Copernicus records, which date back to 1940, provide a historical perspective on these unprecedented climate changes.
A Trend of Rising Temperatures
The previous year saw a remarkable sequence of record-breaking days from July 3 through July 6, driven by the relentless march of climate change, primarily caused by the burning of fossil fuels. This year, every month since June 2023 has ranked as the hottest on record for that particular month compared to previous years, underscoring a worrying trend.
Climate Change and El Nino: A Deadly Combination
Some scientists are predicting that 2024 might surpass 2023 as the hottest year on record. This is due to the combined effects of ongoing climate change and the natural weather phenomenon El Nino, which ended in April but left a lasting impact on global temperatures. These factors have conspired to push temperatures to new heights, demonstrating the urgent need for climate action.
