Kristina
What is the hottest month in history? July 2023 was the hottest month ever recorded, according to the GISTEMP analysis by scientists at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies. The analysis showed that the average global temperature for July 2023 was 1.38°C (2.48°F) above the average July temperature from 1951-1980. This was the highest temperature anomaly ever recorded, surpassing the previous record set in July 2016.
The map above shows the global temperature anomalies for July 2023. Red and orange areas indicate temperatures that were higher than the 1951-1980 average, while blue and purple areas indicate temperatures that were lower than the average. Most of the world experienced higher-than-average temperatures, with the most extreme anomalies occurring in the Arctic and parts of the Middle East.
The extreme temperatures in July 2023 were the result of a combination of natural and human-caused factors. Natural climate variability, such as El Niño, played a role in the record-breaking temperatures. But the main cause of the extreme temperatures was human-caused climate change. Rising levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap more heat, leading to higher temperatures.
The extreme temperatures in July 2023 had serious consequences. In many parts of the world, the heat was so intense that it caused droughts, wildfires, and heat waves. These extreme weather events had devastating impacts on ecosystems, economies, and human health.
The extreme temperatures in July 2023 were a wake-up call to the world. It showed that climate change is real and that it is happening now. It also showed that the world needs to take urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming.
The extreme temperatures in July 2023 were a stark reminder that climate change is happening and that it is having serious impacts on the world. If we don’t take action now, the extreme temperatures we saw in July 2023 could become the new normal. We must act now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming, or else we risk facing even more extreme temperatures in the future.
