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The UN secretary general, António Guterres, has declared that the era of global warming has come to an end and “the era of global boiling has arrived” as scientists confirm that July is on track to be the hottest month ever recorded. Guterres emphasized the need for urgent and dramatic climate action in order to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels and avert the worst consequences of climate change. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the EU’s Copernicus Earth observation program have reported that global temperatures this month have shattered records, exacerbating extreme weather events worldwide. Guterres called on politicians to take decisive action, stating that there is no time for hesitancy or waiting for others to act. The WMO secretary general, Petteri Taalas, added that climate action is not a luxury but a necessity.
Other climate scientists have confirmed these findings, with estimates suggesting that July 2023 is 1.5C hotter than an average July before industrialization. According to Zeke Hausfather, a climate scientist at Berkeley Earth, it is virtually certain that July 2023 will be the warmest month on record by a significant margin. Greenhouse gas pollution has intensified deadly heatwaves on three continents this month, making them 2.5C, 2C, and 1C hotter in southern Europe, North America, and China, respectively. Scientists emphasize that these extreme conditions will become more frequent unless the burning of fossil fuels is urgently reduced.
The return of the El Niño phenomenon, combined with greenhouse gas pollution, is expected to make this year hotter than usual. The WMO predicts a two in three chance that one of the next five years will be 1.5C hotter than before the Industrial Revolution. Guterres warns that escalating temperatures demand accelerated action, and climate scientists call for a shift in the conversation towards urgent steps that need to be taken this year. World leaders will gather in the United Arab Emirates in November to discuss measures to combat global heating, adapt to extreme weather events, and finance climate-related damages.
The founder of the Canadian campaign group Destination Zero, Catherine Abreu, stresses the urgency of phasing down fossil fuels, stating that the transition away from them is inevitable and essential. However, despite the knowledge of the detrimental health effects caused by climate change, governments and companies continue to prioritize fossil fuels instead of pursuing a sustainable future. Marina Romanello, a climate and health researcher at University College London, emphasizes the importance of taking action now to ensure a livable future for future generations.
