The European climate agency Copernicus reports that August tied for the hottest month ever recorded, driven by fossil fuel use and a strengthening El Niño.
Key facts
- •August tied for the hottest month on record globally.
- •UN climate chief Simon Stiell attributed the record to the impact of fossil fuel use.
- •El Niño is currently strengthening and releasing stored ocean heat into the atmosphere.
- •The current El Niño could become one of the most powerful on record.
- •The greatest impact of the current El Niño on global temperatures is expected over the next year.
August has been identified as a joint hottest month on record, according to the European climate agency Copernicus. Researchers attribute the extreme temperatures to the ongoing impact of fossil fuel consumption combined with the development of a powerful El Niño climate pattern.
Climate Drivers and Impacts
Dr. Samantha Burgess, strategic lead for climate at Copernicus, stated that the month was a remarkable entry in the global climate record. She noted that the combination of record air temperatures, ocean heat, and Europe's summer conditions illustrates how climate change is driving extremes across both the atmosphere and oceans, affecting communities and ecosystems globally.
The Role of El Niño
The current El Niño event, characterized by a band of the eastern Pacific turning unusually warm, is contributing to the rise in global temperatures. Copernicus researchers noted that this natural pattern is still strengthening and could potentially become one of the most powerful on record. The peak impact on global temperatures is expected over the coming year, suggesting that the current trend of record-breaking heat may continue.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Science & Environment.
