While summer may not have officially come to a close, the data is already painting a clear picture: it has been an unprecedented scorcher for the northern hemisphere. August, in particular, marked a significant milestone as it was recorded as the hottest August globally since modern record-keeping began in 1940. This scorching trend follows record-breaking temperatures witnessed in both June and July. These alarming findings were jointly reported by the UN’s World Meteorological Organization and the European climate service Copernicus earlier this week.
The numbers are telling a concerning story. The global average surface temperature for the period from June to August soared more than one degree above the 1991-2020 average. The primary drivers behind this alarming rise in temperatures are familiar culprits: the continued burning of fossil fuels, widespread deforestation, and unsustainable farming practices, as highlighted by Axios.
As we look ahead, there is little room for complacency. Experts are warning that 2024 is projected to be even hotter, underlining the urgent need for comprehensive global efforts to address climate change and its devastating consequences.
( Salma Altantawy, Editor at LinkedIn News )