Earth Sets Unofficial Record High Temperature and Sustains It

Earth experienced an unofficial record-breaking high temperature this week, which persisted the following day, marking a distressing milestone in a week characterized by extreme weather events driven by climate change.

According to the Climate Reanalyzer at the University of Maine, the average global temperature on Wednesday stood at 17.18 Celsius (62.9 degrees Fahrenheit). This figure matched the record set on Tuesday, following a previous record of 17.01 Celsius (62.6 degrees Fahrenheit) established on Monday. Although these figures are not officially recognized by the government, they provide an indication of the current state of affairs, as stated by Sarah Kapnick, the chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The NOAA plans to consider these figures when calculating the official temperature records.

While long-term data is typically used to track the Earth’s warming over months, years, and decades, the recent daily temperature highs offer an unprecedented glimpse into the uncharted territory of climate change.

While some regions experienced colder weather than usual, Quebec and Peru witnessed the shattering of high-temperature records this week.

In North Grenville, Ontario, the local authorities converted ice hockey rinks into cooling centers as temperatures reached 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit) on Wednesday, with humidity making it feel like 38 degrees (100 degrees Fahrenheit). Jill Sturdy, a spokesperson for the city, remarked on the tropical-like conditions, saying, “I feel like we live in a tropical country right now. The air is so thick.”

Beijing also faced scorching temperatures, with nine consecutive days exceeding 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) and a peak of 41 degrees Celsius (106 degrees Fahrenheit) on Wednesday. In response, all outdoor work was halted.

On Wednesday, approximately 38 million Americans were under various heat alerts, according to Kapnick.

Scientists have been warning for months that 2023 could bring record-breaking heat due to human-caused climate change, primarily driven by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil. They also noted the transition from La Niña, a natural ocean cooling phenomenon that had acted as a counterbalance, to El Niño, a warming oceanic pattern.

Stanford University climate scientist Chris Field, who was not involved in the calculations, emphasized that records like these provide further evidence that global warming is propelling us toward a hotter future.

An exceptionally mild winter in the Antarctic has contributed significantly to this week’s temperature records, according to data from the Climate Reanalyzer. Certain parts of the continent and adjacent ocean were 10-20 degrees Celsius (18-36 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than the 1979-2000 averages. Raghu Murtugudde, a professor of atmospheric, oceanic, and earth system science at the University of Maryland, explained that the strong wind fronts over the Southern Ocean were pushing warm air farther south, resulting in unusual temperatures.

Chari Vijayaraghavan, a polar explorer and educator, expressed concern about the obvious impact of global warming on both poles, including threats to wildlife and rising sea levels due to ice melt. She warned of the increasing risk of diseases, such as avian flu, spreading in the Antarctic and causing devastating consequences for penguins and other fauna in the region.

Sean Birkel, the creator of the Climate Reanalyzer at the University of Maine, described the daily figures as unofficial but valuable snapshots of the ongoing changes in a warming world.

Sarah Kapnick highlighted that although the dataset for the unofficial record only goes back to 1979, considering other data, it is likely that the world is currently experiencing the hottest days in “several hundred years.”

The frequency and intensity of heatwaves continue to disrupt life globallyand pose life-threatening conditions. Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, the regional director for Europe at the World Health Organization, emphasized that climate change is significantly impacting the continent, potentially undoing 50 years of progress in public health.

In June, large parts of India and Pakistan endured a prolonged heatwave that claimed over 100 lives in the two countries. The temperatures have subsided in recent weeks with the arrival of monsoon rains.

Note: This rewrite aims to convey the same information as the original text while providing a fresh perspective and improved readability.

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• University of Maine’s Climate Reanalyzer: Climate Reanalyzer
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): NOAA
• World Health Organization: World Health Organization
• Stanford University: Stanford University
• AP’s climate initiative: AP’s Climate Initiative