On July 21, 2024, the global average temperature reached an unprecedented high of 17.09 degrees Celsius (62.76 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). This surpassed the previous record of 17.08 degrees Celsius set on July 6 of the previous year.
Carlo Buontempo, the director of C3S, emphasized the significant difference between the recent temperatures and previous records, indicating that the climate is entering uncharted territory with continuous warming trends expected to break new records in the future.
C3S confirmed that this new temperature record, which is part of their records dating back to 1940, highlights an alarming trend in global warming. The distinction is not just in the isolated high temperature but in the persistent and significant rise over the past 13 months compared to all previous years.
Global Temperatures Reach New Record High on July 21, 2024The previous record before July 2023 was 16.8 degrees Celsius, recorded on August 12, 2016. The current trend includes 57 days since July 3 of the previous year that have exceeded the 2016 record.
The extreme heat has had tangible impacts, with large parts of the United States, Russia, and southern Europe experiencing oppressive conditions. For example, on July 15, 2024, New York City saw a severe heat warning issued by the National Weather Service, with residents employing various methods to stay cool.
This localized heatwave is part of a broader pattern exacerbated by the ongoing climate crisis, primarily driven by the burning of fossil fuels, which significantly increases the likelihood of such extreme weather events.
C3S noted that the more than year-long streak of record-breaking monthly temperatures continued into June 2024. Each month since June 2023 has been the hottest on record for that respective month, underscoring a consistent and worrying trend. Climate researchers had anticipated this series of extreme temperatures, predicting a prolonged period of intense heat which has materialized as expected.
In response to these developments, scientists have consistently called for urgent and substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to halt the rise in global average temperatures. The persistence and severity of the heat underscore the necessity for immediate action to mitigate the impacts of climate change and prevent further escalation of extreme weather conditions.