Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Record-Breaking Temperature
The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) announced that July 21, 2024, was the hottest day ever recorded globally, with an average surface air temperature of 17.09 degrees Celsius (62.7 degrees Fahrenheit).
Previous Record Surpassed
This new record surpasses the previous high of 17.08 degrees Celsius recorded on July 6, 2023, marking a slight but significant increase.
Heatwaves and Wildfires
The record comes amid widespread heatwaves and wildfires affecting large parts of Europe and the United States, highlighting the severe impacts of rising global temperatures.
Consistent Record-Breaking
According to C3S Director Carlo Buontempo, every month since June 2023 has set new temperature records compared to the same months in previous years, indicating a persistent trend of unprecedented global heat.
Uncharted Territory
Buontempo emphasized that the Earth is in “truly uncharted territory” with ongoing climate warming, predicting that new temperature records will continue to be set in the coming months and years.
Northern Hemisphere Summer
The peak of the northern hemisphere summer contributed to the record high, with Copernicus noting that further temperature spikes are likely in the coming weeks.
Impact of Climate Change
The report links the extreme temperatures and related disasters, such as heatwaves and wildfires, to climate change, which is driving longer, stronger, and more frequent weather events.
Global Disasters
The year 2023 has already seen deadly heatwaves in North America, Mexico, India, and Thailand, as well as devastating floods in East Africa, China, and Brazil. Wildfires have also ravaged parts of southern and eastern Europe, Canada, and the United States.
Future Projections
Copernicus warns that despite international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, global warming continues. While 2023 was the hottest year on record, it remains uncertain whether 2024 will surpass it, though current trends suggest it might.
Hottest Day ever
The Copernicus Climate Change Service’s announcement of July 21, 2024, as the hottest day ever recorded underscores the escalating impact of climate change, with global temperatures reaching unprecedented levels and extreme weather events becoming more common.
