“Breaking Records: Earth’s Hottest Day Ever Recorded”
Our planet just hit a scorching milestone. This Sunday, we experienced the hottest day ever recorded on Earth, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. The global average temperature reached a sweltering 17.09°C (62.76°F), edging past the previous record of 17.08°C set just last year.
Carlo Buontempo, director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, put it bluntly: “We are now in truly uncharted territory and as the climate keeps warming, we are bound to see new records being broken in future months and years.:
This July is shaping up to be exceptionally hot, mirroring last year’s record-breaking temperatures. To put things in perspective, before 2023, the hottest day on record was August 12, 2016, with an average temperature of 16.8°C.
The heat isn’t just a number – it’s having real-world impacts:
- Southern Europe is battling wildfires.
- Greece had to close the Acropolis temporarily.
- Six U.S. states, including Arizona and California, are under excessive heat warnings.
- In Maricopa County, Arizona, over 300 deaths this year may be heat-related.
June 2023 was the hottest on record globally, marking the 13th consecutive month of record-breaking temperatures.
Bharat Venkat, director of the UCLA Heat Lab, emphasizes the need for “massive readjustments in the way we live our lives.” From walking dogs in air-conditioned malls to avoid burning their paws, to addressing the disproportionate impact on socially disadvantaged communities, we’re facing a new reality.
As we navigate this uncharted territory, one thing is clear: our relationship with heat is changing, and we need to adapt fast. How are you experiencing these changes? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.