July Shatters Heat Records: Impact of El Nino and Human Activity

Last month was the planet's second-hottest July, driven by El Nino and greenhouse gas emissions, according to Copernicus Climate Change Service. Global sea temperatures neared record highs, with unprecedented warmth observed in various regions. The data underscores the ongoing impact of human activity on climate change.

Last month marked the second-hottest July on record globally, breaking a 13-month period of record warmth, a trend fueled partly by the warming El Nino weather pattern, the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service reported Thursday.

Copernicus noted July's temperatures were 1.48 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above the pre-industrial baseline of 1850-1990. Over the past 12 months, temperatures averaged 1.64 C above pre-industrial levels due to climate change, with July recording the two hottest days ever documented.

The high temperatures are primarily attributed to greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel industries. Oceans not usually affected by El Nino experienced an unusual temperature rise. "This El Nino has ended, but the global temperature increase remains alarmingly similar to last year," said Julien Nicolas, a Copernicus climate researcher, to Reuters.

"We are far from done with record-breaking temperatures causing heatwaves. This long-term warming trend is strongly linked to human impact on the climate." Notable above-average temperatures were reported in southern and eastern Europe, the western U.S., western Canada, most of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and eastern Antarctica.

In contrast, near or below-average temperatures were observed in northwestern Europe, western Antarctica, parts of the U.S., South America, and Australia. July 2024 also recorded higher-than-average rainfall in northern Europe and southeastern Turkey, while drought conditions continued in southern and eastern Europe.

Arctic sea ice levels were 7% below average, higher than the record 14% drop in 2020 but significantly lower compared to 2022 and 2023. Antarctic sea ice was at its second lowest for July, 11% below average, compared to last year's 15% drop. Global sea temperatures neared record highs, ending a 15-month streak of consecutive new records.

"The surprising warmth raises questions about ocean behavior beyond typical climate patterns like El Nino or La Nina. Are ocean currents shifting?" Nicolas questioned.

(With inputs from agencies.)