Climate Emergency: Earth’s Hottest Temperature on Record and the Urgent Need for Action on Climate Change

In the past year, Earth recorded its hottest temperature in history due to rising temperatures and heat records being broken. Measurements taken in March revealed record highs in average temperatures, with Earth being over 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer than before industrialization. This 1.5-degree warming is considered a critical limit to minimize climate change risks, but reducing emissions is the first step towards addressing global warming.

Recent data from the EU’s Copernicus service shows that March was the hottest March on record, with a 12-month period ending in March also setting a new record high. Despite a cold winter in Finland, heat records have been broken, with temperatures reaching over +20 degrees. Germany also experienced a tropical night with temperatures over +20 degrees.

Several factors may be contributing to the sudden temperature rise, including El Niño phenomenon, increasing greenhouse gas concentrations, and solar radiation cycles. The impacts of a volcanic eruption in Tonga and solar radiation cycles are currently being explored as possible reasons for the increase in temperature.

To address climate change, recommendations include reducing emissions, utilizing carbon sinks, and exploring artificial methods to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. If warming continues at a rapid pace, measures such as reflecting solar radiation in the upper atmosphere may be considered.

Despite uncertainties in climate models, efforts to address the root causes of climate change are crucial to mitigate its impacts. Interest in reducing emissions, sustainable practices, and exploring innovative solutions will be key in combating global warming.