The world has just recorded its hottest three-month period ever, according to the UN weather agency, spurring calls for urgent climate action from world leaders.
The UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the European climate service Copernicus announced that the June to August 2023 period was the warmest since records began in 1940.
During these three months, the average temperature reached 16.77°C (62.19°F), surpassing the historical average by 0.66°C. August was notably the hottest month on record, with an average surface air temperature of 16.82°C. This was 0.71°C above the 1991-2020 average for the month and 0.31°C higher than the previous record set in August 2016.
The extreme heat comes amidst a series of severe weather events in the Northern Hemisphere, where heatwaves have triggered devastating wildfires.
August 2023 becomes the hottest month recorded, exceeding previous temperature records significantly.UN Secretary-General António Guterres has declared that “climate breakdown has begun” and emphasized that the current temperatures demand immediate and increased action.
Guterres highlighted that while scientists have long warned about the consequences of fossil fuel consumption, the situation now demands an accelerated response. The UN chief stressed that urgent climate solutions are necessary to avoid the worst impacts of climate chaos.
The WMO also noted that this summer’s extreme weather occurred before the full impact of El Niño—a natural climate pattern characterized by warmer sea surface temperatures—has been felt.
El Niño typically peaks in December and is expected to amplify global temperatures, making 2024 potentially the first-year humanity exceeds 1.5°C above preindustrial levels.
The 1.5°C threshold is a key target set by the 2015 Paris Agreement, beyond which the risk of severe climate impacts increases significantly. Carlo Buontempo from Copernicus warned that the persistent record-breaking temperatures reflect the ongoing climate crisis, leading to more frequent and intense extreme weather events.