According to a report by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), the average global temperature increased by 1.5 degrees threshold during the first days of June, making it the warmest early June on record. The report notes that global temperatures have exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels before, but only in the northern hemisphere winter and spring months. This breach in early June is a cause for concern, as efforts to limit the long-term rise of temperatures to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels were outlined in the Paris Agreement on climate change.
WMO Report Predicts Further Temperature Rises
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) report, published in May, highlights a 66% likelihood that the annual average global temperature in 2023-2027 will be more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for at least one year. The report cites the El Niño effect as a contributing factor and claims that there is a good chance the global-mean air temperature will exceed pre-industrial levels by more than 1.5°C in the coming 12 months. The WMO report also mentions a 98% likelihood that at least one year between 2021-2025 will be the warmest on record.
Monitoring Temperature Breaches is Crucial
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts stresses the importance of monitoring how often and for how long temperature breaches occur, as avoiding more severe consequences of the climate crisis is crucial. The C3S report serves as a reminder that urgent action is needed to address climate change and limit global temperature rises.