GENEVA: For the past year, the average global temperature has been 1.5°C higher than during the pre-industrial era, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. June was the hottest on record and marked the 13th consecutive month of setting a new temperature record. A similar streak of records occurred in 2015/2016.
The data from Copernicus Climate Change Service indicates that June was 1.50°C warmer than the average June temperature from 1850-1900, the pre-industrial reference period. This makes it the 12th month in a row to reach or exceed the 1.5°C threshold.
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From July 2023 to June 2024, the global average temperature was 1.64°C above the pre-industrial average. Additionally, the sea surface temperature in June 2024 averaged 20.85°C, the highest ever recorded for that month. This was the 15th consecutive month with the warmest sea surface temperatures on record.
“These figures show that we are exceeding the 1.5°C level more frequently,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo. “Temporary breaches don’t mean we’ve permanently lost the 1.5°C goal, as it refers to long-term warming over decades.”
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June saw widespread heatwaves affecting many countries, impacting daily life even before the peak of the northern hemisphere summer. Record sea surface temperatures are concerning for marine ecosystems and can fuel tropical cyclones, like Hurricane Beryl.
The Paris Agreement aims to keep long-term global temperatures well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to limit the increase to 1.5°C by the end of this century. Scientists warn that surpassing 1.5°C could lead to severe climate impacts and extreme weather.
“Even if this streak ends, new records will be set as the climate warms unless we stop emitting greenhouse gases,” said Carlo Buontempo, Director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service.
