A new report conducted by the European Union's climate monitor and published by The New York Times reveals that 2023 was the hottest year on record in a century and a half. Last year's average global temperatures were 1.48 degrees Celsius, or 2.66 degrees Fahrenheit, higher than in the second half of the 19th century.
Until now, the hottest year on record had been 2016, surpassing the record temperatures of 2015. Before that, the record year was 2014. Between 2014 and 2016, temperatures increased steadily every year. Although climate scientists experienced a respite in the years following 2016, with no new records set, last year the planet clearly felt the impact of rising temperatures.
Destructive Consequences
The New York Times notes that Canada experienced its most destructive wildfire season in history, with more than 45 million acres burned. This increase in temperatures and extreme weather events underscores the growing urgency of the global climate crisis and the need for immediate action to mitigate its effects.
