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This week has seen the world average temperature record broken more than once, a trend that is likely to continue as the summer unfolds. The three hottest days on record this week were attributed to the combination of climate change and the El Niño global weather event.
On Monday, July 3, the world average temperature hit 17.01°C, creeping above 17°C for the first time since measurements began and beating the previous record, of 16.92°C, measured in August 2016. However, the new record was squashed only a day later, with the world average temperature climbing to 17.18°C on Tuesday, and then to 17.23°C on Thursday.
Human-induced climate change and El Niño are set to bring new record temperatures in coming weeks
El Niño, which occurs every two to seven years, bringing increased temperatures around the world, has not peaked yet, scientists warned, adding that new records are expected in the coming weeks. Some believe that this July will end up being be the hottest month ever recorded.
This July may end up being the hottest month ever
In May, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned that global temperatures were likely to surge to record levels between 2023 and 2027, fueled by greenhouse gas emissions and El Niño. The annual average global temperature could be more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for at least one year, the WMO warned.
Between 2011 and 2020, human activity caused the global surface temperature of the Earth to rise by 1.1°C compared to the second half of the 19th century, resulting in wildfires, flooding, and food shortages around the world, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
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