Global Temperatures Reached Record Highs in February, Surpassing Climate Thresholds
Record-breaking heat continues as February becomes the hottest month ever recorded. Data from Copernicus, the EU’s climate monitoring service, shows exceptionally high temperatures in both air and sea.
These extremes highlight the growing concern about climate change. The average global surface air temperature in February was 1.77 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, making it the ninth consecutive month to break heat records. This comes after 2023 became the warmest year on record.
Climate Thresholds Approaching:
- Exceptionally high temperatures: The first two weeks of February saw the highest recorded temperatures, exceeding 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels for four days straight.
- Record-breaking sea temperatures: The world’s oceans, which absorb most of Earth’s heat, also reached new highs. February’s average global sea surface temperature was the highest ever recorded.
- Melting ice and rising sea levels: Warming oceans lead to melting sea ice, a crucial factor in reflecting sunlight and keeping temperatures cooler. This melting ice contributes to rising sea levels and more extreme weather events.
Scientists have warned of critical climate thresholds that increase the risk of extreme weather. These thresholds include reaching global temperatures 1.5 degrees Celsius or even 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. While February doesn’t mark a permanent breach of these thresholds, it suggests we’re on track to surpass them.
Experts point out that these records are a consequence of rising greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, primarily caused by human activities like burning fossil fuels. This trend is likely to continue unless we can stabilize greenhouse gas levels.
The recent records coincided with an ongoing El Niño event, a natural Pacific Ocean phenomenon that brings warmer-than-average surface temperatures. While El Niño is weakening, its impacts will linger for months. However, human-caused climate change amplifies the effects of El Niño events.
The Future Outlook:
Experts anticipate above-normal temperatures in the coming months due to both climate change and the lingering influence of El Niño.
