Global warming reached a new high in 2023, with temperatures rising to 1.48 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record by 0.17 degrees. This makes 2023 the hottest year on record, according to the latest data. The significant increase in average temperature compared to 2016, previously the hottest year, is a cause for concern among scientists.

Experts have been emphasizing the importance of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, as outlined in the Paris Agreement of 2015. Data and analysis from Copernicus, a climate monitoring program, indicate that global warming may surpass this threshold in early 2023, at least for a limited period of time.

While the focus is often on individual years reaching specific temperature milestones, scientists are more apprehensive about the long-term consequences of global warming exceeding 1.5 degrees. Such a scenario can lead to significant ecological changes, particularly in higher latitudes, and may exceed the capacity of human adaptation in certain regions.

Looking at historical temperature data, global warming has increased by nearly 1 degree since the 1970s, with the 1-degree mark reached for the first time in 2015. In the following eight years, the temperature has risen by an additional half a degree, which is a faster rate compared to the previous decade.

In comparison to the last three decades, which have already experienced relatively higher temperatures, 2023 stands out as an exceptionally warm year. It has been 0.6 degrees hotter than the average for the period 1991-2020.

These findings highlight the urgency for action to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Failure to address the issue can have severe and irreversible impacts on our planet’s ecosystems and societies.