Latest data from satellite observations have officially confirmed that July this year was the warmest month ever recorded worldwide.
Researchers at the European Union’s (EU) Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), using data from the organization’s satellite Earth Observation program and from land stations, say it is the latest sign that the Earth is experiencing unprecedented warming.
The data reveals that worldwide July 2019 was marginally warmer by 0.04 degrees Celsius compared to the previous hottest month on record — July 2016. Scorching heat-waves across Europe last month have notched record temperatures everywhere, including within the Arctic Circle.
The previous hottest month record of July 2016 has been attributed to the then prevailing strong El Niño weather event, which boosts average global temperatures beyond the impact of global warming alone. The new July temperature follows on the heels of a global record for June, which was confirmed by data from several different agencies.
According to C3S, every month this year has ranked among the four warmest on record for the month in question.
While researchers cannot directly link these new high marks to climate change, there is a wide agreement among scientists that emissions of carbon dioxide from human activities are altering background temperatures and making new records more likely.
