Initial climate data reports that 2023 was the hottest calendar year globally since instrumental records began in 1850. This confirms scientific warnings that climate changes continues rapidly intensifying with each passing year. According to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, 2023 saw average worldwide temperatures rise 1.48°C over pre-industrial 1850-1900 levels – edging out 2016 for the warmest year designation. The year also witnessed other alarming firsts, like every single day surpassing 1°C above mid-19th century and around half going past 1.5°C warming – thresholds enshrined by the Paris Agreement.These soaring temperatures exacerbated disasters across the planet in 2023, including unprecedented heat waves, widespread drought and wildfires like Canada’s most destructive season burning 26 million hectares. The last eight years rank as the eight hottest on modern record as rapidly increasing radiative forcing from more greenhouse gases traps extra solar energy. Until net global emissions reach zero, temperatures will continue spiraling upward.
