NASA has announced that the past 12 months have set a new record for global temperatures, indicating the rapid warming our planet is currently experiencing. What is even more concerning is that worse is yet to come. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson states, "We are clearly facing a climate crisis. Communities around the world are feeling extreme heat in unprecedented numbers."
While record highs in many areas might be a reason to celebrate, this is not the case here. In 2023, the average global temperature was more than two degrees Celsius higher than pre-industrial levels for the first time. Despite evidence showing that our planet's climate is changing drastically, humanity is emitting more greenhouse gases than ever before in history. We are heading towards a climate tipping point with no signs of slowing down.
As NASA points out, the last decade has been the warmest since record-keeping began in the late 19th century. Prior to this extended period, the hottest stretch occurred between 2015 and 2016, lasting seven months.
Kate Calvin, NASA's chief scientist and senior climate advisor, remarks, "We are witnessing more hot days, more hot months, and more hot years. We know these temperature increases are caused by our greenhouse gas emissions and are affecting people and ecosystems worldwide." The strong weather pattern of the El Niño phenomenon that began in early 2023 is likely contributing to some of these high temperatures, and indications suggest that as it wanes, we may see a gradual decrease in record temperatures, at least for the time being.
