Third-hottest July on record wreaks climate havoc

Global temperatures last month marked the third-hottest July on record, ending a streak of recent global temperature records. While the global average was slightly lower than in the past two years, the month was still defined by extreme weather events intensified by climate change.

The Impact of a Warming World
Despite a "misleading dip" in global average temperatures, which were 1.25 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the effects of a warming planet were apparent worldwide. Extreme weather events, such as devastating floods in Pakistan and northern China, and intense wildfires in Canada, Scotland, and Greece, were common. Several countries in Asia and Scandinavia experienced their hottest July on record. For example, temperatures in parts of the Gulf, Iraq, and Turkey exceeded 50°C. Scientists attribute these events to the burning of fossil fuels, and they warn that such extreme weather will continue to worsen unless greenhouse gas concentrations are stabilized.

Regional Contrasts and Ocean Temperatures
The report showed significant regional differences in temperatures. While many parts of the world, including 11 countries across Asia, experienced their hottest July in at least 50 years, some regions like North and South America, India, and parts of Australia and Africa saw below-normal temperatures.

The oceans also reflected the warming trend, with last month being the third-hottest July on record for sea surface temperatures. Several specific ocean areas, including the Norwegian Sea and parts of the North Atlantic, set new records for the month. Arctic sea ice extent was the second lowest on record for July, and Antarctic sea ice was the third lowest. This is a concern because melting sea ice contributes to a feedback loop where the darker ocean absorbs more heat, further accelerating global warming.