The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has released a forecast stating that 2023 is projected to surpass all previous years in terms of global temperature. According to the data provided, the global mean temperature for the first 11 months of the year has already exceeded the 1850-1900 average by 1.46°C (34.63°F). This information is particularly significant as world governments gather for the COP28 summit in Dubai to discuss the potential phase-out of CO2-emitting coal, oil, and gas.
The findings from C3S indicate that the average temperature for the January-November period of 2023 was 0.13°C higher than the same period in 2016, which was previously recorded as the warmest calendar year. Furthermore, November 2023 was recorded as the warmest November on record worldwide, with an average surface air temperature of 14.22°C. This was 0.85°C above the November average for the period between 1991-2020 and 0.32°C higher than the previous record set in 2020.
Expressing concern over the unprecedented temperatures observed in 2023, Samantha Burgess, deputy director of C3S, highlighted that the year had already seen six record-breaking months and two record-breaking seasons. With the boreal autumn period of September–November also reported as the warmest on record, Burgess emphasized the significance of these findings.
Director of C3S, Carlo Buontempo, drew attention to the consequences of continuous greenhouse gas emissions, citing the inevitable rise in temperature and the subsequent impact on heatwaves and droughts. He emphasized the importance of achieving net zero emissions as a critical step in managing climate risks.
The report from C3S serves as a reminder of the challenges in meeting the goals outlined in the 2015 Paris Agreement, which aims to keep the global temperature increase below 2 degrees Celsius. Failure to do so could result in severe consequences for weather patterns, public health, and agriculture. The EU, known for its ambitious climate policies, has legislated measures to cut net emissions by 55% from 1990 levels by 2030, an effort deemed essential for achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
As scientists and policymakers continue to grapple with the complexities of climate change, the data from C3S serves as a call to action for immediate and sustained efforts to mitigate the effects of global warming. With 2023 expected to set new temperature records, the urgency of addressing climate change issues has never been clearer.
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