The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported that July 2023 has become the warmest month ever recorded worldwide. ERA5 data from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) showed that the global average surface air temperature for the first 23 days of July reached 16.95ºC, surpassing the previous record of 16.63ºC recorded in July 2019.
The high temperatures in July 2023 resulted in multiple heat waves across North America, Asia, and Europe, as well as severe forest fires in countries like Canada and Greece, causing significant impacts on health, the environment, and the economy.
The month also experienced the highest daily temperature on record, with July 6, 5, and 7 reaching the peak values. The global mean surface air temperature exceeded the 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels during the first and third weeks of the month, making them the warmest three-week period in history.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concerns about the escalating global warming, stating that “the era of global warming is over, we have entered the era of global boiling.” He emphasized that humans are responsible for the rising temperatures due to anthropogenic emissions.
WMO: A CONCERNING TREND
The WMO predicts a 98% likelihood that at least one of the next five years will be the warmest on record, with a 66% chance of temporarily exceeding 1.5°C above the 1850-1900 average for at least one of those years.
Climate experts warn that the current record-breaking temperatures are part of a concerning trend and emphasize the urgent need for climate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The interim ‘State of the World Climate 2023’ report, to be presented at COP28 in December, will incorporate details of new national temperature records, including China’s new national temperature record of 52.2°C in Turpan.
Despite July 2023’s high temperatures, the record temperature in continental Europe remains at 48.8°C in Sicily, reached on August 11, 2021.
