The world experienced its warmest February in recorded history, marking the ninth consecutive month of temperature records since June 2023. The sea surface is hotter than ever, and Antarctic sea ice hit extreme lows. February 2024 was about 1.77°C warmer than the “pre-industrial” times, surpassing the previous record set in 2016 by approximately 0.12°C. The 12-month average temperature is now 1.56°C above pre-industrial levels.
While the Pacific’s El Nino weather event contributes to these elevated temperatures, the primary driver is climate change caused by human activities.
In 2015, nearly 200 countries agreed to limit global warming to under 1.5°C. This threshold represents a 20-year average. The continuous string of records underscores how close the world is to breaching this limit.
Recent records extend beyond air temperatures. Numerous climate metrics are far beyond levels seen in modern times. The scale and extent of oceanic heat cannot be solely attributed to El Nino. “Ocean surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific reflect El Nino. However, sea surface temperatures in other parts of the globe have been persistently and unusually high for the past 10 months,” explains Prof Saulo. This raises concerns about mass coral reef bleaching, global sea-level rise, and the potential for more intense hurricanes.
Unusually warm waters may have contributed to another exceptional month for Antarctic sea ice. The three lowest minimum extents in the satellite era occurred in the last three years. Scientists are grappling to understand this shift, which raises concerns that Antarctic sea ice may finally be responding to climate change.
“It’s absolutely alarming. The records are simply off the charts,” says Prof Martin Siegert, a glaciologist at the University of Exeter.
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