Earth is experiencing its hottest Northern Hemisphere summer ever recorded, with August breaking records as the second-hottest month. August temperatures were 2.7 degrees warmer than preindustrial averages, a concerning threshold for climate experts. The world's oceans, covering over 70 per cent of the Earth's surface, also reached record-high temperatures for three consecutive months.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that "climate breakdown has begun," and 2023 is the second-hottest year on record, following 2016. Human-caused climate change, driven by fossil fuel use, is the primary culprit, along with the influence of a natural El Niño event.
Climatologist Andrew Weaver emphasized the need for urgent action to prevent further warming and its catastrophic consequences, as the agreed-upon goal of limiting heating to 2.7 degrees seems increasingly unlikely.
Global records, dating back to the mid-1800s, are expected to confirm that this summer has set new records for extreme heat. Copernicus Climate Change Service Director Carlo Buontempo emphasized that these record-breaking conditions are clear consequences of climate system warming.
Antarctica continues to see record-low sea ice levels, and global sea surface temperatures are reaching new highs.
The WMO predicts a high likelihood of breaking the 2016 temperature record between now and 2027, further underscoring the urgency of addressing climate change. Extreme heat, coupled with wildfires and desert dust, is impacting air quality, human health, and the environment.