Last month marked the hottest June on record globally, according to the EU’s climate monitor, capping a six-month period of extreme weather events from floods to heatwaves. The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) reported that each month since June 2023 has surpassed its own temperature record, continuing a streak of unprecedented global warmth.
“This trend goes beyond mere statistics and underscores a significant and ongoing shift in our climate,” remarked Carlo Buontempo, Director of C3S. “Even if this sequence of extremes eventually ends, we should anticipate new records as long as greenhouse gas emissions continue to accumulate in the atmosphere.”
The global average temperature in the last month exceeded the previous June record set in 2023, marking a new high amidst a year characterized by climate extremes. From scorching temperatures across regions like India, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Mexico to widespread flooding in countries such as Kenya, China, Brazil, Afghanistan, Russia, and France, 2024 has seen a range of severe weather events linked to a warming planet.
Wildfires have ravaged landscapes in Greece and Canada, while Hurricane Beryl recently became the earliest recorded Category 5 Atlantic hurricane as it swept through multiple Caribbean islands.
Julien Nicolas, a senior scientist at C3S, attributed part of the record-breaking temperatures to the El Nino phenomenon, which amplifies global heat. However, he noted that record-high ocean temperatures in the Atlantic, Northern Pacific, and Indian Ocean have also played a significant role. June marked 15 consecutive months of record sea surface temperatures, a development Nicolas described as remarkable.
Oceans, covering 70% of the Earth’s surface and absorbing 90% of additional heat from rising greenhouse gas emissions, have a profound impact on global temperatures. As the world transitions towards a La Nina phase, which typically cools global temperatures, Nicolas cautioned that persistent high sea surface temperatures could still influence 2024 to potentially exceed 2023’s record warmth.
According to Copernicus, global air temperatures averaged 1.64°C above pre-industrial levels in the twelve months leading up to June 2024, underscoring the ongoing climate challenges ahead.
