health strategy institute (hsi)
management, engineering and
technology review
Joaquim Cardoso MSc.
Senior Research and Strategy Officer (CRSO),
Chief Editor and Senior Advisor
January 20, 2023
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This is an Executive Summary of the article “We are living through Earth’s hottest month on record, scientists say”, published by “The Washington Post”, and authored by “By Scott Dance and Veronica Penney”
As of July 2022, Earth is experiencing its hottest month on record, with global temperatures reaching unprecedented levels.
Climate scientists report that this month is likely to be the warmest single month ever recorded, and possibly the hottest in more than 100,000 years.
Each day in July has seen record-breaking average global temperatures, with 17 days being the hottest observed in over 40 years of climate data.
The extreme heat is causing widespread weather extremes around the world.
Unprecedented heatwaves have been observed in places like Arizona, Rome, and China, with temperatures reaching record highs of 109 degrees Fahrenheit in Rome and 126 degrees Fahrenheit in China.
The Northern Hemisphere, which contains more land than the Southern Hemisphere, is experiencing an outsize influence on the planet’s average temperature, making July the hottest month due to its peak in the Northern Hemisphere summer.
The impact of global warming is also evident in increased instances of flash floods, with the United States experiencing 11 flash flood emergencies in just 11 days.
Climate scientists attribute this to global warming, which makes extreme weather events like flash floods more likely.
Additionally, ocean warmth, particularly in the Pacific and North Atlantic, is believed to be contributing to the severity of heatwaves on land.
The current ocean and land temperatures indicate that this month is on track to set new global temperature records since the mid-1800s when climate records began.
The warming trend is driven by human-induced climate change, with global temperatures already averaging 1.36 degrees Celsius (2.4 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels.
This is alarming, as scientists and policymakers have urged nations to limit warming to a 1.5-degree Celsius increase to avoid the most severe consequences of climate change.
The ongoing El Niño climate pattern is further exacerbating the warming, releasing more heat and humidity into the atmosphere.
With such conditions, it is highly unlikely that the observed extreme heat will be offset by significant cooling in the remaining days of the month.
The current situation underscores the urgency of addressing climate change and taking actions to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
The extreme weather events and record-breaking temperatures are clear indicators of the consequences of global warming, and it highlights the need for immediate and coordinated efforts to mitigate its effects on our planet and future generations.
To read the full version:
We are living through Earth’s hottest month on record, scientists say
The Washington Post
By Scott Dance and Veronica Penney
July 20, 2023
Originally published at https://www.washingtonpost.com on July 20, 2023.
