Latest Records Show Earth's Hottest Day Yet, Coinciding with Increasing Greenhouse Gas Levels

The world is witnessing a significant rise in global temperatures, with the average temperature on Monday reaching a record 17.01C (62.62F), surpassing the previous record of 16.92C (62.46F) set in August 2016. This alarming trend is a consequence of more than a century of net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as stated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The increased GHG emissions, primarily from fossil fuel consumption, have more than doubled in the last 50 years, reaching over 8 billion metric tons in 2018. This continuous reliance on fossil fuels is a major contributor to the warming of our planet.

The El Niño weather phenomenon, a concern for scientists, is estimated to cause losses in GDP that are a hundred times higher than previously thought, amounting to about US$3.4 trillion. If unchecked, El Niño could push global temperatures "off the charts".

The reemergence of the El Niño weather phenomenon this year is expected to bring unprecedented heatwaves. The World Economic Forum (WEF) released a report last year estimating that the global economic losses due to the El Niño weather pattern are many times higher than previously thought.

The potential impacts of El Niño, such as the risks of drought, floods, and extreme heatwaves, are significant. Beyond half a degree of warming, even half a degree will significantly worsen these risks. However, the details about these impacts are not fully disclosed in the current context.

The upcoming UN climate summit, COP28, might be the world's last chance to change the course of history regarding climate change. Limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C is still possible, but immediate action is needed as we are rapidly running out of time.

A report published late last year by the UN warned that the world is already on track to warm well above 2C. If this trend continues, the potential losses from El Niño could reach $84 trillion by the end of the century, although the details about the potential losses beyond this figure are not provided in the current paragraph.

The intense heatwaves being experienced around the world, including in China, India, the UK, and southern US, are putting millions of lives at risk. Beyond 1.5C of warming, even half a degree will significantly worsen the risks of drought, floods, and extreme heatwaves. The details about these risks are not provided in the current paragraph.

In May, CO2 levels in the atmosphere peaked at 424 parts per million (ppm), according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). However, the monthly mean carbon dioxide recorded at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii, has not been disclosed in the given context.

The El Niño weather pattern is a concern for scientists as it fuels ongoing concerns about human-induced global warming. If the climate crisis worsens, the potential losses from the El Niño weather pattern could reach $84 trillion by the end of the century, according to current estimates. However, the details about the potential losses beyond this figure are not provided in the current paragraph.

In conclusion, the record-breaking global temperatures and the reemergence of the El Niño weather phenomenon are clear indicators of the urgent need for immediate action to combat climate change. The upcoming COP28 summit presents a critical opportunity for the world to come together and take decisive action to limit global temperature rise and mitigate the potential impacts of El Niño and other climate-related phenomena.

Latest Records Show Earth's Hottest Day Yet, Coinciding with Increasing Greenhouse Gas Levels