Worldwide Majority Faces Warmer July Due to Climate Change: Study Reveals

Global Heatwave in July 2023: Nearly 6.5 Billion People Affected, According to Climate Central Report

A recent report released by Climate Central has revealed that more than four out of every five people on the planet (81%) faced climate change-attributed heat last month. The report calculated climate change attribution assessments for 4,700 cities across 200 countries, but did not specify the exact cities where the heat amplification was observed.

The report concluded that over 6.5 billion people experienced at least one day of heat that was amplified at least threefold by climate change. This heatwave was particularly strong in countries and regions near the equator, especially island states in the Caribbean. The Atlantic Ocean experienced unprecedented warming, leading to intense heat waves in Europe and widespread coral bleaching in the Caribbean reefs. This marine heatwave was unusually prolonged, lasting well into 2024, and also intensified the hurricane season with more powerful storms fueled by the warmer ocean surface.

The report did not specify the exact days in July 2023 when the Daily average temperature Climate Shift Index (CSI) was calculated. However, it did indicate that the peak of the global heat was reached on July 6, which was the hottest day the planet ever recorded, with the average global temperature reaching 17.08C (62.74F).

The CSI, as calculated by Climate Central, has 11 levels, with Level 3 indicating that human-caused climate change made temperatures at least three times more likely. The report did not mention any other contributing factors to the extreme heat besides climate change.

The report also found that during each day of July 2022, 2 billion people worldwide experienced at least the same level of climate change influence on their local temperatures. July 2022 was the hottest July ever recorded, according to the report. However, it did not provide any information on the CSI levels for July 2022.

Gabriel Vecchi, a Princeton University climate scientist, stated that by now, we should all be used to individual heat waves being connected to global warming. The report did not provide information on the specific impact of the extreme heat on the global population during July 2023.

In summary, the report released by Climate Central highlights the devastating impact of climate change on global temperatures, with nearly 6.5 billion people experiencing extreme heat in July 2023. The report emphasizes the need for immediate action to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly those caused by the extraction and combustion of fossil fuels.