June and July are supposed to be hot (well, in the northern hemisphere at least). But lately things have been worryingly hot…apocalyptically hot, if you will. If you had any doubts, scientists have confirmed that June, 2019 is the hottest month ever recorded.
We’re talking about global average temperatures here.
While June was somewhat mild in parts of North America, the worldwide average was scorching. Data recorded by scientists at the Copernicus Climate Change Service, part of a European Union agency, made their announcement this week.
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It was a scorcher.
Scientists say that temperatures throughout Europe were consistently high: on average, more than 2 degrees Celsius above what’s normally expected for June. Parts of France, Spain and Germany experienced temperatures up to 10 degrees Celsius higher than usual.
It’s only going to get worse.
When one of these records is set, it doesn’t last for long. That’s because things keep getting hotter. The previous record-holder for hottest June took place just three years ago, in 2016.
There’s an elephant in the room.
While some may treat this as a statistical oddity, or something that can’t be directly linked to a specific cause, it’s pretty obvious what’s going on here: climate change is getting worse.
It’s sobering news.
“Such extreme weather events are expected to become more common as the planet continues to warm under increasing greenhouse gas concentrations,” said scientists from the Copernicus Climate Change Service in a statement.
Scientists can’t be any clearer.
Global temperatures have risen steadily over the last few decades. While a degree or two doesn’t seem like a big difference, it truly is. As polar icecaps melt, freshwater stores are depleted and ocean levels rise.
It’s getting hot in here.
“This study shows that temperature records haven’t just been broken,” explained Professor Hannah Cloke, natural hazards researcher at the University of Reading. “They have been obliterated.” Cloke attributed the extreme heatwave to climate change as a result of greenhouse gas emissions.
Here’s how to diagnose climate change.
Cloke says it’s tough to attribute a singular heatwave to climate change, particularly when the heatwave is so recent. But looking at longterm trends gives a more accurate picture — and that picture isn’t pretty.
In other news, it’s July.
Let’s not forget that this is the hottest month of the year in the United States. The U.S. National Centers for Environmental Information note that it’s also an active month for other extreme weather like hurricanes and tornadoes.
What are your thoughts?
It feels like climate change is rapidly advancing, while lawmakers move at a glacial pace. Do you believe the scientists? If so, how much should we be willing to sacrifice to save our planet? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section.
