This Year Will Be the Hottest Year in Earth's History

Destructive Impacts of Climate Change Began Before 2023

On the 8th, as the heatwave continues day after day, a worker is working at a construction site in Jangwi-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

There are growing observations that this year is likely to be the hottest year in Earth's history.

AFP reported on the 8th (local time) that the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), the European Union (EU) climate monitoring agency, forecasted that the average global temperature from the beginning of this year through July is 0.7℃ higher than the 1991?2020 average.

C3S stated that for this year not to be hotter than last year, extreme weather events must significantly decrease during the remaining period. Previously, C3S announced that last year's global average temperature was 14.98℃, approximately 1.48℃ higher than the pre-industrial period of 1850?1900, marking a record high.

According to C3S, the global average temperature last month was 16.91℃, which is 0.04℃ lower than the same month last year. After 13 consecutive months of monthly average global temperatures reaching record highs, there was a slight decline last month. This is interpreted as a partial easing of the El Ni?o phenomenon (equatorial sea surface temperature rise).

However, sea surface temperatures were still found to be abnormally high in many areas. Semensa Burgess, Deputy Director of C3S, said, "The overall context has not changed," adding, "The climate continues to warm." In particular, he expressed concern that "the destructive impacts of climate change began before 2023 and will continue until global greenhouse gas emissions reach net zero."