To monitor and understand climate change, scientists have been measuring global temperature using various methods and instruments since the 1850s. The most recent method is based on satellite data collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the University of Maine since 1979. According to this data, the Earth experienced its hottest day ever recorded on July 3, 2023.
The average global temperature measured to be 62.62 degrees Fahrenheit, two meters above the Earth’s surface. The main factor that caused the record-breaking global temperature was the occurrence of severe heatwaves in several parts of the world.
Another factor that contributed to the record-high global temperature was the presence of El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean. El Niño is a natural phenomenon that occurs every few years when warm water from the western Pacific moves eastward along the equator.
According to NOAA data, El Niño conditions observed from May to July 2023, which coincided with the record-breaking global temperature. El Niño can also raise global temperature by increasing ocean heat content.
The new record of global temperature on July 3, 2023, surpassed the previous records set in July 2022 and August 2016, when the global temperature reached 62.46 degrees Fahrenheit. These records also associated with El Niño events and heatwaves.
The Earth experienced its hottest day ever recorded on July 3, 2023, with an average global temperature of 62.62 degrees Fahrenheit. This new record influenced by a combination of natural and human-induced factors that increased the heat energy in the Earth system. This trend has serious consequences for the environment, human health, and socio-economic development. It can lead to more frequent and intense extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, droughts, floods, storms, and wildfires. It can also affect biodiversity, water resources, food security, and human rights.
To prevent further warming and mitigate its impacts, scientists recommend reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing adaptation and resilience measures, and increasing international cooperation and action on climate change.