April marked the Earth’s 11th consecutive month of record-breaking heat, with warmer weather already prevalent in Asia and a hotter-than-usual summer forecasted for Europe. According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, last month’s temperatures globally were 1.58°C (2.8°F) above historical averages, making it the hottest April on record. Over the past 12 months, temperatures have been 1.61°C higher than pre-industrial levels, surpassing the 1.5°C threshold concerning policymakers and scientists about the impact on the planet’s ecosystems.
While temperature fluctuations associated with natural cycles like El Niño may come and go, the additional energy trapped in the ocean and atmosphere due to rising concentrations of greenhouse gases will continue to drive global temperatures to new highs. Copernicus Director Carlo Buontempo emphasized this point in a statement, noting that the trend of increasing temperatures is a result of human activity.
The Copernicus program, as the world’s largest provider of climate data, utilizes billions of measurements from satellites, ships, aircraft, and weather stations worldwide to develop monthly and seasonal forecasts. These measurements help scientists and policymakers understand the impact of climate change and make informed decisions to address the challenges posed by global warming.