June 2023: A Record-Breaking Month
June 2023 might not have seemed extraordinary at first glance, but it turned out to be the warmest June ever recorded. This data comes from Ars Technica, a reliable source for technology news and analysis, owned by Condé Nast.
Historical Context and Data
Comparing Past and Present
According to Copernicus data, a similar yearlong streak of record temperatures occurred in 2015/2016. However, NASA, which uses different data and methods, did not show a similar streak during that period. NASA’s results for May’s temperatures are expected soon, and they will likely confirm a yearlong streak of records.
Temperature Increases Over Time
The European Union highlights that the one-year period ending in May was 1.63 degrees Celsius above the average temperatures of the 1850–1900 period, used as a baseline for preindustrial temperatures. This is significant because many countries have pledged to keep temperatures from exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels by the end of the century. While temperatures may drop below this target in the coming years, the new records suggest limited time before temperatures consistently exceed it.
For the first time on record, temperatures have held steadily in excess of 1.5 degrees Celsius above the preindustrial average. Courtesy of C3S/ECMWF.
Future Implications
Carbon Capture Challenges
Realistically, plans to combat climate change involve overshooting the 1.5 degrees target by midcentury but using carbon capture technology to reduce greenhouse gas levels. Exceeding this target earlier means more carbon dioxide will need to be removed from the atmosphere, using technology that is not yet scalable. Additionally, it is unclear who will bear the cost of carbon removal.
Scientific Investigations
The extremity of some monthly records—some months have been half a degree Celsius warmer than any previous month—has led scientists to search for reasons behind the surge. However, there is no consensus yet.
Potential Contributors to Warming
Changes in Pollution Regulations
Significant warming of ocean temperatures has accompanied these temperature extremes. Attention has focused on changes to pollution rules for international shipping, which aim to reduce sulfur emissions. These rules have recently cut down on aerosol emissions by cargo vessels, reducing the amount of sunlight reflected back to space. This is likely a partial contributor to temperature changes.
Natural Events
A slight contribution may also come from the Hunga Tonga eruption, which blasted significant amounts of water vapor into the upper atmosphere. However, this is not enough to explain the recent warming. Beyond these factors, there are no obvious explanations for the recent warmth.
“This story originally appeared on Ars Technica.”
3 Comments
Are we just going to ignore the elephant in the room?
Crazy how climate change is still debated!
It’s like we’re living in an oven now!