This alarming trend brings Earth dangerously close to the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold outlined in the Paris climate agreement, beyond which both human societies and ecosystems may struggle to adapt. The report highlights that every month since June has set a new record for heat, with November being approximately 1.75 degrees warmer than pre-industrial levels. The findings come as delegates from over 150 countries convene in Dubai for COP28, the UN’s annual climate summit, to discuss the urgent need to phase out fossil fuels to combat climate change.
2023 has been officially confirmed as the hottest year on record, according to an analysis by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. Global temperatures in 2023 are projected to exceed pre-industrial levels by more than 1.4 degrees Celsius, approaching the critical 1.5-degree threshold established in the Paris climate agreement. This level of warming is concerning as it poses significant challenges for both human societies and ecosystems.
Since June, each successive month has broken temperature records, with November being no exception. November’s average temperature was approximately 1.75 degrees Celsius warmer than pre-industrial levels, and on two days during the month, temperatures exceeded 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels. These alarming statistics have raised concerns among scientists about the future implications for the planet.
The release of this report coincides with the ongoing COP28, the UN’s annual climate summit, in Dubai. The discussions at the conference focus on the critical issue of phasing out fossil fuels to combat climate change. Brenda Ekwurzel, director of climate science at the Union of Concerned Scientists, emphasizes the urgency of this topic, particularly for wealthy and high-emitting countries that have contributed significantly to the record-breaking temperatures.
The exceptional warmth experienced in 2023 is attributed to a combination of El Niño and human-induced climate change. Throughout the year, deadly heatwaves and unprecedented record-breaking temperatures affected various continents, while extensive ocean heat affected large parts of the globe.
Copernicus also noted that the Northern Hemisphere experienced the warmest fall on record globally, with November being wetter than average across most of Europe, including regions impacted by heavy rainfall and floods.
As temperatures continue to rise in the coming year, there is a growing concern that the world will consistently exceed the 1.5-degree warming threshold in the long term. While exceeding this threshold for several months is worrisome, scientists are particularly alarmed by the possibility of remaining above 1.5 degrees Celsius over an extended period, as it may lead to severe and irreversible consequences.
The report emphasizes that Earth had already warmed by approximately 1.2 degrees Celsius through 2022, underscoring the immediate and tangible impacts of the climate crisis. A separate report from the World Meteorological Organization revealed that the decade from 2011 to 2020 was the hottest on record for both land and oceans, with climate change causing accelerated glacier loss and sea-level rise.
Copernicus Director Carlo Buontempo warned that as long as greenhouse gas concentrations continue to rise, temperatures will keep climbing, leading to increased heatwaves and droughts. The urgency of addressing climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions is paramount to mitigating these devastating impacts.