Global Warming Records and Climate Studies
The world experienced a record high temperature in January 2025, exceeding previous records despite a cold United States, a cooling La Nina, and forecasts predicting a less hot year.
- January 2025 was 0.09 degrees C warmer than January 2024, the previous record-holder.
- This was 1.75 degrees C above pre-industrial levels, according to Copernicus.
- The last 19 months have mostly surpassed the internationally recognized warming limit of 1.5 degrees C above pre-industrial times.
- Scientists will only consider this limit breached after 20 consecutive years of such temperatures.
Historical Context and Causes
Climate records date back to 1940, with other data sources extending to 1850, suggesting this warming era is the hottest in about 120,000 years.
- The primary cause is the buildup of greenhouse gases from fossil fuels.
- Natural temperature influences, such as equatorial Pacific Ocean cycles, are behaving unexpectedly.
El Nino, La Nina, and Global Patterns
The interplay between El Nino and La Nina impacts global temperatures, but these natural cycles are not fully explaining the current heat records.
- El Nino typically leads to a spike in global temperatures.
- La Nina, which started in January, usually has a cooling effect.
- Record warmth is observed despite La Nina due to warm ocean temperatures worldwide.
Regional Anomalies
Local temperature anomalies highlight the complexity of climate patterns.
- Parts of the Canadian Arctic experienced temperatures 30 C above average, causing sea ice to melt.
- This January tied the record for the lowest Arctic sea ice, according to Copernicus.
Ongoing Climate Studies and Predictions
Recent studies by notable climate scientists indicate a potential acceleration in global warming.
- It suggests the last 15 years have warmed at twice the rate of the previous 40 years.
- It attributes part of the warming to reduced sulfur pollution, which previously helped cool the Earth by reflecting sunlight.
- Some scientists disagree with the above claim, attributing observed patterns to random chance.
