September 2023 marked the hottest September ever recorded, according to the European Union’s climate monitor, the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S).
The global average surface air temperature for the month was 0.93°C above the 1991-2020 average, setting an unprecedented record, surpassing the previous 2020 record by 0.5°C.
This exceptional deviation from the norm was considered “extraordinary” by climate scientists. The figure was approximately 1.75°C higher than the September average in the pre-industrial period of 1850-1900.
The report emphasises that the world is on the brink of surpassing a critical warming limit. From January to September, global average temperatures were 1.4°C higher than in the late 19th century, approaching the 1.5°C target set by the 2015 Paris Agreement to avert severe climate consequences.
Warmer sea surface temperatures driven by climate change are intensifying extreme weather events, illustrated by Storm Daniel causing devastating floods in Libya and Greece in September.
The El Niño phenomenon is expected to elevate 2023 to the hottest year on record. Despite its influence, climate change exacerbates its effects. Ongoing global warming, indicated by record-low Antarctic sea ice and significantly reduced Arctic sea ice, underscores the urgent need for action.
As world leaders convene for the COP28 UN climate talks in Dubai, finding consensus on emission reduction, financial support, and renewable energy will be crucial, particularly in light of diverse opinions on how to achieve the Paris Agreement’s goals. Pope Francis has emphasized the urgency of adopting binding policies to phase out fossil fuels, echoing the growing call for ambitious climate action.
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