The Earth is sweltering under an 11-month warming streak, with global air and sea surface temperatures soaring to unprecedented levels, according to the European Union’s climate change monitoring service.
April marked the hottest month on record, continuing a trend that began in June 2023, with each month breaking previous temperature records. Despite a weakened El Nino, researchers attribute the extreme warmth to human-induced climate change.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) reported that April was 1.58 degrees Celsius (2.84 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than the pre-industrial period from 1850-1900. This trend is alarming as it surpasses the crucial 1.5C (2.7F) warming threshold set by the 2015 Paris climate agreement.
Weather extremes were observed across the globe in April, with Eastern Europe and Africa experiencing record heatwaves. South Sudan saw schools closing due to extreme temperatures, while Slovakia recorded its highest daytime temperatures above 30C (86F) in spring.
Meanwhile, parts of South and Southeast Asia faced scorching heatwaves, while southern Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, and East African countries like Kenya and Tanzania suffered from deadly flooding. Pakistan experienced its wettest month in over 60 years, with double the normal monthly rainfall in April.
The impact of warmer oceans was also evident, with sea surface temperatures breaking records for the 13th consecutive month. This not only threatens marine life but also contributes to a hotter atmosphere, making it harder for water bodies to absorb greenhouse gas emissions.
As the world grapples with these extreme weather events, the urgency to address climate change and transition to renewable energy sources becomes more pressing than ever.