Our planet just experienced its hottest year ever recorded.
Data from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) shows that 2023’s global temperatures averaged a scorching 1.48°C warmer than the pre-industrial period (1850-1900). This surpasses the previous record set in 2016 by a significant margin (1.25°C).
The news is a grim reminder of the accelerating pace of climate change and the urgent need for action.
The relentless grip of fossil fuels
The relentless burning of fossil fuels is the primary culprit behind rising global temperatures. This process pumps greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide (CO2), into the atmosphere, trapping heat and causing the planet to warm. The C3S data reflects this clear link.
It wasn’t just another hot year in 2023; it was a year of shattered records. The year saw numerous milestones surpassed, highlighting the severity of global warming and its potential consequences. Global average temperature reached a scorching 14.98°C, exceeding the previous record (2016) by 0.17°C.
Compared to the 1991-2020 average, the increase was a significant 0.60°C. There’s a possibility of exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels within the next year, according to C3S. In a first for our planet, every single day in 2023 surpassed 1°C warmer than the 1850-1900 average.
July and August claimed the titles of the hottest months ever documented, and the meteorological summer (June-August) was also the hottest season ever recorded.
Oceans and El Niño
While rising CO2 levels are the primary driver, other factors contributed to 2023’s extreme warmth. Oceans play a crucial role in absorbing heat from the atmosphere. This warming trend in the oceans also contributes to rising global temperatures.
Another factor is El Niño, a natural phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean characterized by cyclical changes in water temperature. El Niño events can cause temporary increases in global temperatures.
While El Niño events typically influence the following year, 2023’s presence alongside record-breaking warmth raises concerns for potential even hotter temperatures in 2024.
Warming pace as a cause for alarm
The scientific community is divided on whether the record warmth of 2023 signifies an acceleration of global warming. Some scientists, like Michael Mann from the University of Pennsylvania, view it as within the expected range due to long-term warming and El Niño. Others, like James Hansen from Columbia University, believe it indicates a more rapid shift.
Regardless of the specific cause, the overall message is clear: global warming is a serious threat.
“The observed record 2023 global temperature, the certainty that it is going still higher in 2024, and the unprecedented planetary energy imbalance (more energy coming in than going out) assure that their assumption is hogwash, to use a milder agricultural [term] than the one I usually use,” says Hansen to CBC, while referring to the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which believe climate change is slowing down.
The record-breaking temperatures of 2023 serve as a warning. With the possibility of even hotter years on the horizon, the time for delay is over. Efforts from governments and individuals are crucial to curb emissions and transition to a sustainable future. In particular, embracing innovative technologies and prioritizing environmental well-being will help us chart a course towards a cooler future for our planet.
Impacts made closer to home
Closer to home, the University of Toronto‘s St. George campus is trying to make a big difference while considering the long-term effects of climate change here in Canada.
Project Leap, a $138-million initiative, aims to cut its carbon footprint in half within just three years. This record-breaking effort for universities will see a shift from gas-powered heating to cleaner electricity. Buildings will receive energy-saving upgrades, including technology to capture and reuse wasted heat. Outdated lights will be swapped for energy-efficient LEDs. The project also includes connecting some buildings to a geothermal system that utilizes the Earth’s natural heat for temperature control.
By showcasing its success, U of T hopes to inspire other institutions and solidify itself as a leader in sustainability to fight the increase of global temperature changes.
