The European Copernicus Observatory announced on Wednesday that 2023 is on track to become the hottest year in recorded history, following an “exceptional” November.
This month became the sixth consecutive month to break record-high temperatures. Samantha Burgess, Deputy Head of the Climate Change Service at Copernicus, stated, “2023 now includes six record-breaking months and two seasons.
The extraordinary November, in particular, featured days where temperatures were two degrees Celsius higher than the pre-industrial era, marking 2023 as the hottest year ever in recorded history.”
This revelation adds significant pressure to the ongoing negotiations at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai. According to the Observatory, the global average temperature in 2023 is 1.46 degrees Celsius higher than pre-industrial times.
There have been numerous warnings that 2023 might surpass 2016 as the hottest year on record, especially after September and October shattered previous temperature records. However, this is the first time such a claim has been officially confirmed.
Scientists note that data derived from ice core samples, tree rings, and similar sources suggest that 2023 could be the hottest year Earth has experienced in over 100,000 years.
This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for global action on climate change, with the COP28 conference playing a crucial role in shaping future policies and strategies.
