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Marrakech – The world experienced its hottest June on record last month, marking the 13th consecutive month of record-breaking temperatures, according to data from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S).
Scientists warn that 2024 is on track to potentially surpass 2023 as the hottest year in recorded history.
Every month since June 2023 has ranked as the planet’s warmest compared to the same month in previous years. June 2024 exceeded the previous record, set in June 2023, by 0.14°C.
With an average global temperature of 16.66°C, it was 0.67°C above the 30-year average for the month.
The unrelenting heat has had devastating consequences around the world. Over 1,000 people died during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia last month due to the extreme temperatures.
Heat-related deaths were also reported in New Delhi, India, which endured an unusually long heatwave, and among Greek tourists.
Scientists attribute the majority of the trapped heat to human-caused climate change, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas.
Despite international agreements to curb global warming, countries have collectively failed to sufficiently reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The natural El Niño phenomenon, which tends to raise global temperatures, subsided in June. However, even without its influence, temperatures remained at record highs.
Experts predict that the streak of record-breaking months may end soon, but the long-term warming trend and its impacts will persist.
June also marked the 12th consecutive month that global temperatures exceeded the 1.5°C limit set by the Paris Agreement, a critical threshold nearly all countries agreed to in 2015.
While this does not mean the limit has been permanently crossed, it underscores the urgent need for action to mitigate climate change.
Read also: Morocco Records New Heat Record as Temperature Surpasses 50°C for First Time
The oceans, which cover more than two-thirds of the Earth’s surface, have also been setting heat records for the past 15 months.
Warmer oceans contribute to more intense hurricanes, like Hurricane Beryl, which recently struck the Caribbean.
Climate scientists warn that without drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the Earth is on track to warm by 3°C, which would have catastrophic consequences for humanity and the environment.
They emphasize that while natural phenomena like El Niño play a role, the primary driver of the current climate crisis is human activity.
