2023 Expected to Break Warmest Year Record as October Sets New High

New data suggests that 2023 is highly likely to be the warmest year on record, with predictions of deadly heatwaves, floods, and fires. The EU's climate change service reported that global average air temperatures in October were 0.4C warmer than the previous record set in October 2019, making it the fifth consecutive month of record warmth. Researchers anticipate that extreme global temperatures will continue into 2024. The number of days surpassing the politically significant 1.5C warming threshold has already reached a new high. July, in particular, may have been the hottest month in 120,000 years, and September temperatures smashed the previous record by an astounding 0.5C. October was slightly less hot than September but still broke the record for the month by an exceptional margin. This year's exceptional warmth, driven by carbon emissions and El Niño weather events, has significant real-world impacts, leading to human suffering, including deaths, displacement, and loss of livelihoods. The main driver of the heat is ongoing carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels, which is compounded by the rise of El Niño. While researchers are concerned about the scientific impacts of these record-breaking temperatures, the rising mercury has dire consequences on human populations. The year to date has been 1.43C warmer than the pre-industrial levels, and temperatures are expected to remain high in the coming months. The UN's upcoming COP28 summit, starting on 30 November, takes place against this backdrop of alarming climate conditions. October temperatures were considerably higher than average globally, and regions worldwide experienced extreme weather conditions. Concerns are growing that further extreme events, such as wildfires, may occur in the coming months.