Earth’s record hot streak might be a sign of a new climate era

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: A devastating heat wave has hit Mali and other parts of West Africa, with temperatures rising above 110 degrees Fahrenheit 
• The unprecedented heat, worsened by human-caused climate change and a strong El Niño, has led to numerous deaths and severe health emergencies due to dehydration and heatstroke

🔭 The context: This heat event follows a global trend where the last ten months each set records for being the hottest of their kind 
• The planet's temperature has soared to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels, partly driven by the recent El Niño combined with longstanding increases in greenhouse gas emissions

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: This extreme weather showcases the severe and tangible impacts of climate change on human health and regional ecosystems 
• Events like these are becoming more common and severe, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive climate action

⏭️ What's next: Scientists are monitoring the current climatic conditions to determine if this marks a new, more volatile climate era or a temporary spike in global temperatures 
• The impending shift from El Niño to La Niña might temporarily cool global temperatures, but long-term trends suggest ongoing challenges

💬 One quote: "We are used to heat, but this level of extreme we have never experienced," (Kiswendsida Guigma, climate scientist and adviser for the Red Cross Climate Center)

📈 One stat: Nearly 19,000 weather stations have reported record high temperatures since the beginning of the year

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