Global warming continues to break records, with the latest insights from the State of the Climate in 2023 report painting a dire picture of the impact of rising greenhouse gas emissions on our planet. In this three-part series, we delve deeper into the effects of this unprecedented global heating, starting with a focus on the soaring temperatures worldwide.
Unprecedented Global Heating in 2023
The year 2023 marked a new high in global temperatures, with the annual global average surface temperature reaching levels never seen before. According to seven separate datasets, the global surface temperature in 2023 was 0.55°C–0.60°C above the 1991–2020 average, surpassing the previous warmest year on record, 2016, by a significant margin.
Comparing 2023’s global average temperature to pre-industrial times, the report revealed that the global surface temperature last year was 1.35°C–1.54°C above the pre-industrial average. Dozens of countries reported record or near-record warmth, with regions like China, continental Europe, India, Russia, and Canada experiencing some of the warmest temperatures on record. Intense and widespread heatwaves were reported across the globe, highlighting the severity of the global heating trend.
The trend of record-breaking temperatures extended beyond 2023, with the years 2015 through 2023 ranking as the nine warmest years on record. The heat streak continued into 2024, with every month through July marking record-setting global temperatures. In fact, July 2024 was the warmest July globally in NOAA’s 175-year record, marking the 14th consecutive month of record-high global temperatures.
Ocean Heating and Marine Heatwaves
The oceans have been absorbing the majority of the heat trapped by greenhouse gases, with about 89 percent of the heat entering the planet’s climate system from 1971 through 2020 being absorbed by the seas. In 2023, global sea surface temperatures reached record highs, continuing into 2024 with signs of decline as a La Niña event took hold.
A shocking 94 percent of the global ocean surface experienced at least one marine heatwave in 2023, with record-breaking extremes observed worldwide. These marine heatwaves can super-charge tropical cyclones, bleach corals, and harm ocean ecosystems critical for millions of people’s food sources. The severity and extent of coral bleaching in 2023 were particularly alarming, with mass bleaching events confirmed in oceans worldwide.
Impact on Marine Ecosystems and Coral Reefs
Coral reefs, known as the rainforests of the sea, have suffered greatly from the effects of global heating. Coral bleaching, caused by stress from warm sea temperatures leading to the expulsion of symbiotic algae, has been rampant in recent years. In 2023 and continuing into 2024, mass coral bleaching events were confirmed across all ocean regions where warm-water corals reside.
According to a recent report from NOAA, bleaching events have been observed in at least 62 countries and territories worldwide, highlighting the global scale of the impact on marine ecosystems. As sea temperatures continue to rise, the survival of coral reefs and the diverse ecosystems they support is increasingly at risk.
Accelerating Ice Loss, Rising Sea Levels, and Other Impacts
Beyond the soaring temperatures and ocean heating, global warming is also accelerating ice loss, leading to rising sea levels and changes in weather patterns worldwide. The increased frequency of extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall and droughts, poses significant challenges to communities and ecosystems around the globe.
As we continue to pump greenhouse gases into the atmosphere at an alarming rate, the need for urgent action to mitigate the impacts of climate change has never been more critical. From reducing emissions to investing in renewable energy sources, individuals, communities, and governments must work together to address the root causes of global warming and protect our planet for future generations.
Subheadings:
