July 6^th, 2023 was officially the hottest day in history, breaking the record for the third time that week. Global temperatures soared to 17.23º Celsius (63.01º Fahrenheit), outstripping July 4^th’s record-breaking 17.18ºC (63.01ºF) and July 3^rd’s 17.01ºC (62.62ºF). Many scientists fear that temperatures will only continue to rise with the return of El Niño, the climate pattern warming of surface waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

According to climate scientist Paulo Ceepi at the Imperial College London’s Grantham Institute, data based on tree rings and ice cores reveal that the Earth hasn’t been this warm in at least 125,000 years.

As deadly heat waves rip from southeast Asia to the southern U.S., more and more of the global population is becoming at risk for heat stroke and droughts. In India, a blistering heat wave of 47ºC (116.6ºF) left at least 44 people dead in the state of Bihar. In the U.S., Texas experienced triple-digit Fahrenheit temperatures accompanied by intense humidity, and northern Mexico recorded 112 deaths from dehydration and heat stroke. Cities across China have opened their air raid shelters to provide shelter for citizens after two heat-related deaths in Beijing.

Unusual heat was also recorded across Antarctica. Measurements set the temperature at 4.7ºC (8ºF) above average, which part of a wider trend of parts of the continent and nearby oceans being 10-20ºC (18-36ºF) higher than averages from 1979 to 2000. A recent report from the World Meteorological Organization estimates there is a 98% chance that the next five years will be the warmest period ever. The report also warned that the Earth is likely to hit the critical warming threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels within those same five years.

As the climate crisis intensifies, scientists are clear that record-breaking heat waves are set to become more frequent and more severe. Increased droughts will heighten food insecurity in already vulnerable regions, especially those dominated by agricultural societies, like on the Indian subcontinent and in sub-Saharan Africa. Lack of land to grow food, water shortages, and displacement of populations will continue to plague poorer countries in the global south and to drive migration further north to richer countries unprepared to accommodate massive flows of people. Climate scientists like Zeke Hausfather at Berkeley Earth say the planet’s overall warming is “well within the realm of what scientists had projected would happen” as humans continue to pump vast amounts of heat-trapping greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. 

Climate scientists and environmentalists alike hope that these record-breaking days will create a sense of urgency, encouraging both policymakers and the public to advocate for and invest in renewable energy, zero-emission technology, and a reduction in average consumption. 2023 has chances of becoming the hottest year on record, and nations are still falling short on their climate goals. The alarm has been sounded. It’s time for humans to take the steps needed to fight climate change, before it’s too late.