In 2023, the planet experienced its hottest year on record, a finding confirmed by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). This year surpassed previous records, making it likely the warmest year in the last 100,000 years. The global temperature averaged 1.48 degrees Celsius higher than the pre-industrial period of 1850-1900. This rise in temperature is attributed to human-induced climate change, with the burning of fossil fuels significantly increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
The world is yet to surpass the 1.5C global warming limit set in the 2015 Paris Agreement. However, C3S noted that in 2023, temperatures exceeded this level on nearly half of the days, setting a concerning precedent. Additionally, carbon dioxide emissions reached record levels, with the atmospheric concentration hitting 419 parts per million.
Last year was 0.17C hotter than 2016, the previous record holder, and marked the first time every day was over 1C hotter than pre-industrial times. The El Niño weather phenomenon further intensified the global temperatures.
The effects of this temperature rise were devastating. Heatwaves, floods, and wildfires caused significant loss of life and economic damage. The U.S. faced over 25 climate-related disasters with damages exceeding $1 billion each. Extended droughts adversely affected crops in Argentina and Spain.
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