11 Months of Record-Breaking Heat: The New Norm for the Planet

In April 2024, the Earth experienced its 11th consecutive month of record-breaking heat. This was due to a hotter-than-usual summer expected in Europe and warmer weather sweeping across Asia. Last month’s temperatures globally were 1.58C (2.8F) above historical averages, making it the hottest April on record. Over the past 12 months, temperatures have been 1.61C higher than pre-industrial levels, surpassing the 1.5C threshold that could pose a threat to life on the planet.

The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that last month’s temperatures were globally at this level due to rising global temperatures caused by increasing greenhouse gas concentrations. While temperature fluctuations related to natural cycles like El Niño may come and go, the additional energy trapped in the ocean and atmosphere due to these gases will continue to push global temperatures to new records.

The Copernicus program, which is the world’s largest provider of climate data, utilizes data from billions of measurements collected from satellites, ships, aircraft, and weather stations worldwide for its monthly and seasonal forecasts. As a result of this trend towards record-breaking heat, countries around the world are taking measures to prepare for hotter-than-normal days.

For example, Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy has been preparing for hotter-than-normal days as a result of the El Niño weather pattern forecasted to last until June. Photos like this one captured in Bangkok, Thailand on Sunday April 28th show people unloading blocks of ice from trucks amidst high temperatures.

This ongoing trend towards record-breaking heat highlights the potential consequences of rising global temperatures caused by increasing greenhouse gas concentrations. It is important that countries around the world continue to take action to reduce their carbon emissions and mitigate the impact of climate change before it is too late.