Originally posted by Wikinews. Wikinews content appears under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 license except where specified. As these articles are static snapshots of news items that may be later updated, they may not represent the latest or final revision of that article, and posted information may be only preliminary. Heatwaves surge worldwide as global temperatures reach new highs ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- July 10, 2023 Original URL: https://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Heatwaves_surge_worldwide_as_global_temperatures_reach_new_highs Last week, the world experienced three of the hottest days on record, as indicated by preliminary data sources. On July 3, the average global temperature surged to 62.62 degrees Fahrenheit (17.2 degrees Celsius). This significant increase underscores the escalating impact of global warming and the intensifying nature of the heatwave. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the University of Maine collaborated to compile this data, measuring the average global air temperature two meters above the Earth's surface. Surpassing the previous record set in July 2022 and August 2016, when the global temperature reached at 62.46 degrees Fahrenheit (16.92 degrees Celsius). Experts attribute the surge in global temperatures to recent heatwaves in the United States, Canada, and Europe, alongside the influence of El Niño. El Niño, a climatic phenomenon characterized by elevated Pacific Ocean temperatures, has contributed to the overall rise in global temperatures. NOAA and University of Maine's temperature data, which dates back to 1979, provides insights for historical comparisons. Researchers express confidence that this is the highest global temperature since instrumental measurements commenced in the 1850s. The intense heatwave is not confined to specific regions. June 2023 was declared the warmest month on record by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. These blistering temperatures strained infrastructure and public health services. Over 120 million Americans were affected by heat advisories, while regions like Europe, China, and Spain also faced unprecedented heatwaves. This prolonged heatwave is a direct consequence of climate change, as rising global temperatures from greenhouse gas emissions intensify the frequency and severity of such events. Experts caution that future heatwaves will likely surpass the current conditions in both intensity and duration. == Sources == * https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/climate/2023/7/5/23784587/hottest-day-heat-wave-recorded-temperature-climate-change * https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/climate-nears-point-no-return-land-sea-temperatures-break-records-experts-2023-06-30/ * https://time.com/6292670/earth-climate-change-uncharted-territory/ * https://www.nbcdfw.com/weather/weather-connection/earths-hottest-day-ever-was-recorded-on-july-3-2023/3289861/?amp=1 .