For the first time in recorded history, the planet's average temperature hit a new high on two consecutive days, according to data released by the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). The global average reached 62.76 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday, only to be surpassed by a reading of 62.87 degrees Fahrenheit the following day.
The previous record, set in 2016, stood at 62.74 degrees Fahrenheit. The new figures, based on C3S's reanalysis dataset, underscore a trend that scientists say is pushing the climate into uncharted territory.
“What is truly staggering is how large the difference is between the temperature of the last 13 months and the previous temperature records,” said Carlo Buontempo, director of C3S, in a statement. “We are now in truly uncharted territory and as the climate keeps warming, we are bound to see new records being broken in future months and years.”
The consecutive records come amid a backdrop of extreme weather events worldwide, including supercharged storms and deadly heat waves. Oceans are also experiencing unprecedented warmth, a factor that can amplify storm intensity and disrupt marine ecosystems.
Antarctic Warmth and Sea Ice Loss
C3S attributed the latest temperature spikes to “much above-average temperatures over large parts of Antarctica,” where sea ice extent remains exceptionally low. This has also contributed to warmer conditions over parts of the Southern Ocean.
The agency noted that the likelihood of 2024 becoming the hottest year on record is increasing, though it remains too early to confirm whether it will surpass 2023.
Oxford climate scientist Nicholas Leach told the New York Times that the more immediate concern is the potential for increased extreme weather, including heavy rainfall and heat waves, as global warming continues.
The records follow a stark warning from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in its 2023 report, which described the accelerating impacts of climate change. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, reacting to that report, said, “Humanity is on thin ice — and that ice is melting fast. Our world needs climate action on all fronts — everything, everywhere, all at once.”
While the new figures are preliminary, they align with a broader pattern of rising global temperatures observed over the past year. The consecutive daily records highlight the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, though experts note that even with immediate action, some degree of further warming is already locked in.
