Last summer’s temperature rise could be worse than we thought

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

🗞️ Driving the news: New scientific data indicates that last summer's temperature rise in the northern hemisphere may have been significantly higher than previously thought, exceeding the 1.5C target set by world governments

🔭 The context: Researchers found that the average temperature last summer in Europe, North America, and Asia was 2.07C higher than the 1850-1900 reference period
• However, this reference period may have been cooler than recorded due to improperly positioned weather stations

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: If historical temperature baselines are lower than estimated, the current global warming situation is more severe, implying a greater urgency for climate action to mitigate impacts on ecosystems and human societies

⏭️ What's next: Further studies will likely refine historical climate data to provide more accurate benchmarks, helping to inform and adjust international climate policies and goals

💬 One quote: "It is possible that the world was cooler than the measurements reflect in Victorian times," scientists suggest, indicating a potential underestimation of past temperatures

📈 One stat: New data suggest the temperature between 1850 and 1900 was 0.24C lower than previously estimated, making last summer's rise 2.31C in the northern hemisphere

Click for more news covering the latest on climate change