Climate experts from the U.S. government revealed on Monday that there is nearly a 50% chance that 2023 will be the hottest year ever, with the possibility that next year may be even hotter than this year. Sarah Kapnick, the chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the United States, told reporters, "So far, 2023 is the third hottest year on record." Kapnick noted that "it is almost certain, at 99%, that 2023 will rank among the five hottest years on record, with nearly a 50% chance of being the hottest."
Meanwhile, Gavin Schmidt, director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, stated that "next year could be hotter than this year due to the El Niño phenomenon." Schmidt added, "The biggest impact of El Niño will occur in 2024. Therefore, we not only expect 2023 to be exceptionally hot and at a record level, but also for 2024 to be even hotter." In the same context, NASA's chief scientist, Kate Calvin, mentioned that "climate change has effects on people and ecosystems around the world," noting that "in addition to changes in temperatures, we are witnessing other climate changes such as rising sea levels, decreasing sea ice in the Arctic, wildfires, and increased heavy rainfall."
