Global temperatures have consistently stayed 1.5 degrees Celsisus (°C) above pre-industrial levels over the past 12 months, according to new data.
Findings from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service also showed last month was the world’s hottest June on record.
It comes after thousands of deaths linked to recent record-breaking heatwaves in the Northern Hemisphere.
Global warming
Burning fossil fuels for everyday energy consumption, like coal, oil, and gas, releases carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere.
Adding more CO₂ and greenhouse gases to the atmosphere causes hotter temperatures on Earth.
Climate experts have repeatedly warned a failure to reduce emissions will cause more extreme weather events, sea level rises, and food scarcity.
Paris Agreement
Most UN members signed up to the Paris Agreement in 2015, including Australia.
The Agreement binds countries to limit their emissions so that global temperatures don’t increase more than 1.5°C above levels recorded during 1850-1900, after which fossil fuel emissions rapidly increased.
The Climate Action Tracker, which monitors individual nations’ progress in reducing emissions, has said many countries, including Australia and the U.S., have taken “insufficient” action to meet Paris targets.
New data
According to new Copernicus data, each month over the past 12 months was 1.5°C warmer than the 1850-1900 average.
The world also just recorded its hottest June ever, 0.14°C higher than the previous June high set in 2023.
However, the world has not officially passed the Paris Agreement target, because that requires a 20-30 year period of average temperatures to be 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The current data shows a one-year average.
Global surface air temperatures for June compared to 1850-1900 levels.
Source: Copernicus Climate Change Service/European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.
Heatwaves
More than 60% of the world’s population faced extreme heat between June 16-24, according to data collated by global organisation Climate Central.
More than 1,300 people died due to heat exhaustion at this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
The west coast of North America is currently experiencing a heat wave, putting hundreds of millions of people in danger of heat-related illnesses and weather events.
“Not too late”
Dr David Karoly has authored multiple UN climate reports.
He told TDA last year’s El Niño weather pattern – which brought hot and dry conditions – combined with long-term warming trends, caused record high temperatures over the past year.
“All climate modelling and projections on warming show that we will exceed… the 1.5°C target.“
He added it’s “not too late” for global temperatures to stabilise, saying it required “much stronger action” to reduce emissions.