“Earth on Fire: Humanity Ignores Record Heat and Soaring Carbon Dioxide Levels”
Humanity is facing a dire warning as atmospheric carbon dioxide levels soar to all-time highs and Earth experiences its 12th consecutive month of record-breaking heat, according to international climate officials. The global mean temperature in May reached 60.63 degrees Fahrenheit, a staggering 2.73 degrees hotter than the pre-industrial average. This marks a year-long streak of unprecedented heat that shows no signs of abating, as reported by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres issued a statement emphasizing the urgency of the situation, stating that the planet is sending a clear message that we need to take action. Despite the alarming rise in temperatures, global efforts to address climate change have been insufficient.
May also marked the 11th consecutive month of temperatures exceeding 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit above the internationally agreed-upon limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius. The global average temperature for the last 12 months, from June 2023 to May 2024, was the highest on record at 2.93 degrees Fahrenheit above the pre-industrial average.
The director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, Carl Buontempo, described the heat streak as shocking but not surprising, emphasizing the need for immediate action to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.
In addition to rising temperatures, carbon dioxide levels have reached unprecedented levels, with recent readings hitting 427 parts per million in May. This is the highest level ever recorded for that month, according to Ralph Keeling, director of the CO2 program at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Keeling noted that the monthly average CO2 concentration in March saw a record year-over-year gain of 4.7 parts per million, driven primarily by fossil fuel emissions and exacerbated by the effects of El Niño. The combination of high fossil fuel burning and the El Niño event led to a new all-time record in CO2 levels.
As the planet continues to experience record-breaking temperatures and CO2 levels, the western United States is bracing for a significant heat wave that could see temperatures soar into the triple digits. This heat wave is expected to set the stage for a long, hot summer across the country, with strong odds for warmer-than-normal conditions in almost every state.
With 2024 on track to surpass 2023 as the hottest year on record, climate scientists are urging immediate action to address the escalating climate crisis. As the records continue to tumble, it is crucial for global leaders and individuals to prioritize sustainability and take meaningful steps to mitigate the impacts of climate change.