The Earth has just wrapped up its hottest June to August stretch ever, and the sweltering summer of 2023 has etched itself into history books as the hottest the planet has seen since record-keeping began back in 1880. NASA’s scientists at the Goddard Institute of Space Studies (GISS) in New York have crunched the numbers and revealed this scorching reality.
But what’s more alarming is that this isn’t just a one-time fluke. It’s part of a concerning pattern. Over the decades, data from NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and international organizations have shown that our Earth’s temperature has been consistently rising. The culprit? Primarily human activities that pump greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) into our atmosphere.
This year’s summer heatwave played out like a global symphony of sweat. The sweltering temperatures baked vast parts of the world. From raging wildfires in Canada and Hawaii to blistering heatwaves in South America, Japan, Europe, and the U.S., the scorching trend was undeniable. It even had a hand in triggering heavy rainfall in Italy, Greece, and Central Europe.
Temperature record of the hottest summer:
Just how hot was it? The combined average temperature for June, July, and August this year was a staggering 0.41 degrees Fahrenheit (0.23 degrees Celsius). It was hotter than any previous summer in NASA’s records. And comparing it to the average summers of 1951 to 1980, it was 2.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 degrees Celsius) warmer. Even August decided to crank up the heat, coming in at 2.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 degrees Celsius) above its average.
So, as we wrap up the record-setting summer of 2023, it’s clear that we’re not just witnessing an isolated weather event but a part of an ongoing and concerning trend. As our planet continues to warm, it’s critical that we address the factors within our control, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adopt renewable energy sources, and implement sustainable land-use practices. Our Earth’s future relies on our ability to take meaningful action to combat this rising temperature trend.