The temperatures of the first eleven days of June reached unprecedented levels for this time of year throughout the world. According to the Copernicus atmospheric monitoring service, this was also the first time that, in June, global air temperatures exceeded the pre-industrial limit of 1.5ºC.
“Although it was the first time that this limit was exceeded in June, it is not the first time that the increase in global average daily temperature exceeded 1.5ºC. This limit was exceeded for the first time in December 2015, and then also in the winters and springs of 2016 and 2020. In addition, it is important to note that the 1.5ºC limit, established by the Paris Agreement, has not yet been exceeded. , since it was defined for mean changes of twenty or thirty years and not for short periods of time, such as days or months, ”explains Copernicus in a statement.
According to Samantha Burgess, Deputy Director of Copernicus, “the world has just recorded the hottest start to June on record, after a May that was less than 0.1°C colder than the hottest May on record.” .
“Monitoring our climate is more important than ever to determine how often and for how long the increase in global temperatures exceeds 1.5°C. Every fraction of a degree is important to avoid even more serious consequences of the climate crisis ”, he considers.
These high temperatures are recorded at a time when the El Niño climate phenomenon is already hitting the planet. According to the United Nations, El Niño is expected to cause record temperatures in several regions of the world, contributing to a new peak in global warming.
The United Nations also warns of possible floods, damage to agriculture and impacts on food security in the most vulnerable countries, especially in Africa, South America and Asia.
In May, sea surface temperatures also reached record levels for the time of year.
Source: TSF
