August was joint hottest month on record, says European climate agency
Summary
August 2024 tied with July 2023 as the hottest month ever recorded, according to the European climate agency Copernicus. The high temperatures were caused by climate change and the growing effect of El Niño, a natural event that warms the Pacific Ocean and raises global temperatures.Key Facts
- August 2024 was 1.65°C warmer than pre-industrial times, exceeding the important 1.5°C limit set to avoid severe climate damage.
- This heat record is linked to both human-caused climate change and a strengthening El Niño event in the Pacific.
- Western Europe experienced its hottest summer ever, surpassing the deadly heat of 2003.
- The oceans also reached their highest temperatures on record in August 2024.
- El Niño warms the eastern Pacific Ocean and pushes heat into the atmosphere, often raising global temperatures for about a year.
- Experts warn that the combination of climate change and El Niño will likely cause more heat records and extreme weather events soon.
- The warm summer in Europe caused serious problems, including health crises, food supply issues, fires, droughts, and many deaths.
- Climate scientists emphasize that reducing fossil fuel use is critical to prevent even worse heat and weather extremes in the future.
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