Lately, the hottest temperatures in the history of our planet have been recorded, alarming climate scientists, who warn of the arrival of a multi-year period of unprecedented heat. Heat waves are sweeping the globe, breaking records from North America to Antarctica, and this June has become the hottest June on record. This astonishing surge of record-breaking heat is due to two factors: continued greenhouse gas emissions and the return of El Niño, a cyclical weather phenomenon.
Continued greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of oil, coal, and gas are a major cause of global warming. They lead to an increase in the greenhouse effect, resulting in higher temperatures on Earth. In addition, the return of El Niño last month has also had a significant impact on the current heat wave. This weather phenomenon causes massive spikes in heat and moisture, as well as severe storms and flooding in some areas and massive droughts and fires in others.
Widespread impacts
Extreme weather events have affected many regions around the world in recent weeks. China recorded the highest temperatures on record – more than 40 degrees Celsius. In Texas and Mexico, authorities are struggling with power problems due to heavy use of air conditioners. Smoke from wildfires in Canada continues to smother parts of the United States. Even in Antarctica, sea ice levels have dropped sharply to record levels, and surface temperatures in the North Atlantic are 1.6 degrees Celsius above normal.
New records and uncharted territory
These dramatic temperature increases are alarming among scientists who monitor climate change. Brian McNoldy, a senior scientist at the University of Miami, says, “It’s so far from what’s been observed that it’s hard to put into your head. It doesn’t seem real.” Carlo Buontempo, director of European Climate Change Copernicus, adds: “We’ve never seen anything like this before. We are in uncharted territory.”
The Convergence of Warming Factors
Global warming has already caused Earth’s temperature to rise two degrees Fahrenheit since the Industrial Revolution. Unless we can stop greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation, temperatures will continue to rise for years and decades to come.
PS: Such statements by Western climate scientists should be treated with a degree of skepticism. The planet’s climate has really gone crazy, but humanity has nothing to do with it. This is a natural – cyclical process.
