In 2021, It Was the 6th Hottest Year in Weather Observation History

US NASA Announces Observation Results... "Impact of Global Warming Intensifies"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] Last year, along with 2018, was recorded as the sixth warmest year in history in terms of the Earth's average temperature. NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) urged for countermeasures, stating that the effects of climate warming have become fully apparent.

On the 13th (local time), NASA, together with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), released observational records with this information. The Earth's average surface temperature last year rose by 0.85 degrees Celsius compared to the 1951-1980 period. Compared to the late 19th century, the early Industrial Revolution period, the temperature was 1.1 degrees Celsius higher. In particular, the past eight years were measured as the warmest period since modern meteorological observations began in 1880.

Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator, said, "Scientific analysis leaves no doubt that climate change is an existential threat of our time," adding, "Eight of the ten warmest years on record have occurred in the past decade," and pointed out, "This is clear evidence that bold action is necessary to protect the United States and all humanity." In response, NASA stated in a press release, "Climate warming is due to increased human activities emitting greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide," and noted, "The Earth is already showing the effects of climate warming, including the disappearance of Arctic ice, rising sea levels, worsening wildfire damage, and changes in animal migration routes." NASA measures the Earth's average surface temperature annually by installing weather stations, observation ships, and ocean buoys, and publishes adjusted data based on satellite observations.

Meanwhile, NOAA also announced on the same day that its separate measurements and analyses concluded that last year's Earth's surface temperature was the sixth highest since measurements began in 1880. It also reported that the average temperature in the United States last year was 12.5 degrees Celsius (54.5 degrees Fahrenheit), which is 1.4 degrees higher than the 20th-century average. It was recorded as the fourth warmest year since the U.S. began meteorological observations 127 years ago. Particularly, the average temperature in December last year was 4.05 degrees Celsius, 3.32 degrees higher than the historical average temperature, marking the highest December temperature on record, surpassing the previous record set in December 2015.

Additionally, last year saw 20 major weather and climate disasters causing damages exceeding one billion dollars, resulting in 688 deaths and many more injuries. This was two more incidents than in 2020, including tornado damages that occurred in the southeastern, central, and midwestern United States in December. The U.S. annual average precipitation was 774.192 mm, about 13.7 mm higher than average.