Monday marked a historic moment as it was recorded as the hottest day ever, surpassing the previous day's record. Countries worldwide, including Japan, Bolivia, and the United States, are grappling with extreme heat, as reported by the European climate change service.
Provisional satellite data from Copernicus revealed that Monday's temperatures exceeded the previous day by 0.06 degrees Celsius (0.1 degree Fahrenheit). Climate scientists attribute this unprecedented warmth to human-induced climate change, stating that the world is currently as warm as it was 125,000 years ago.
The rise in temperatures aligns with projections made by climate scientists regarding the consequences of continued fossil fuel consumption. The global average temperature on Monday was recorded at 17.15 degrees Celsius (62.87 degrees Fahrenheit), breaking the previous record set just a year ago.
Antarctica's warmer-than-usual winter played a significant role in pushing global temperatures to new heights this week, a trend observed last year as well. Copernicus data, dating back to 1940, indicates that 2024 has been exceptionally warm, with the first six months of the year surpassing previous records.
Experts warn that without immediate action to address climate change, extreme temperature records will continue to be shattered at an alarming rate. Former U.N. climate negotiations head Christiana Figueres emphasized the urgent need for a transition to renewable energy sources to mitigate the crisis.
As the world grapples with the repercussions of rising temperatures, it is evident that concerted efforts are required to combat climate change and safeguard the planet for future generations.
