2023 Expected to be Hottest Year on Record, Signifying Urgency for Climate Action

New data suggests that 2023 is “virtually certain” to be the warmest year on record, following a string of exceptionally high temperatures in October. The global average air temperatures in October were 0.4C warmer than the previous high in 2019, marking the fifth consecutive month of record warmth. This trend is driven by carbon emissions and the El Niño weather event. Researchers predict that extreme global temperatures will continue into 2024. The rising temperatures have already resulted in deadly heatwaves, floods, and fires, causing human suffering and loss of livelihoods. The main driver of the heat is ongoing carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels, supplemented by the rise of the El Niño event. The year to date has been a record 1.43C warmer than pre-industrial levels, painting a worrisome climate context ahead of the UN’s COP28 summit. Urgency for ambitious climate action has never been higher, as the planet may experience temperatures unseen in 125,000 years. As temperatures continue to surge, there are concerns of further extreme events, such as increased wildfire risk in parts of Australia.