A global heat record was set in January despite the US experiencing unusually cold temperatures, according to a new study by Copernicus and former NASA scientist James Hansen. The world warmed 0.09 degrees Celsius (0.16°F) above January 2024, with global temperatures now 1.75°C (3.15°F) warmer than pre-industrial times. This marks the 18th month in the last 19 that the world has hit or surpassed the internationally agreed upon warming limit of 1.5°C (2.7°F).
Global greenhouse gas emissions from burning coal, oil, and natural gas are still driving record heat, but natural factors contributing to temperature change have not been expected, said Samantha Burgess of the European weather agency. This is unusual because La Nina tends to dampen global warming effects, making record temperatures less likely. However, recent records in the rest of the world’s oceans are largely responsible for the current trend.
The US is a small fraction of the planet’s surface, but parts of Canada experienced unseasonable warmth, leading to melting sea ice and tying the January record for lowest sea ice coverage. February has already started cooler than last year, according to Burgess. Despite this, global warming experts James Hansen and Jonathan Overpeck warn that record warmth is expected to continue in the coming years.
While some scientists disagree with Hansen’s claim of accelerating climate change, others like University of Michigan environment dean Jonathan Overpeck believe it’s undeniable. However, Princeton’s Gabe Vecchi and University of Pennsylvania’s Michael Mann argue there’s not enough data to confirm this trend isn’t random chance.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/record-hot-january-climate-change-cold-2c44da947d4b892448d18b61202a1457