In a concerning revelation, the EU’s Copernicus service has announced that the 12-month period ending in March was the hottest year on record. This marks a staggering 1.58 degrees Celsius rise in temperatures compared to pre-industrial times. The trend of rising temperatures is not just limited to the land, as oceans are also experiencing record high temperatures, with 90 percent of the extra heat generated from carbon dioxide emissions being stored in the ocean.
The impact of this warmer sea water can be seen in more extreme weather events and heavier rainfall. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued a stark warning that global warming could surpass the critical 1.5 degree limit in the next decade. While Copernicus data only goes back to 1940, conclusions about historical temperatures can be drawn from sources like ice core samples and tree logs, which suggest that current temperatures are likely the warmest in thousands of years.
Deputy director Samantha Burgess raised concerns about this trend, stating that we are already living in debt when it comes to climate change. She emphasized that we must take immediate action to curb our carbon emissions and mitigate the impact of climate change before it’s too late. As we continue to witness record-breaking heat and extreme weather events, it is clear that urgent action is needed to safeguard our planet for future generations.
