Global Climate Change: 2017 Second Warmest Year Since 1880

Climate change is real and it’s happening now. The data published Tuesday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) highlighted the first half of 2017 was the second warmest in 138 years.

The global average temperature recorded between January and June was 1.48 Fahrenheit degrees above the 20^th century average of 59.9 degrees. Besides, the global average temperature over land and ocean surfaces was the third highest for the month of June compared to the temperature records dating back to 1880.

There is a reason to worry as June 2017 marks the 41st consecutive June and the 390th consecutive month with temperatures at least nominally above the 20^th century average, according to the NOAA. Among the different continents, Africa had its warmest June on record this year.

Read: Climate Change Cost For Cities Double That For Rest Of The World, Because Of ‘Heat Island’ Effect

However, the global average temperature in 2017 was lesser as compared to 2016 — when the temperature was 1.93 degree Fahrenheit above the 20^th century average — after the end of El Nino event last year, which is defined as an unusual ocean current that happens along the western America every two to ten years, according to Cambridge dictionary.

In January, NASA and NOAA published a joint analysis that underlined 2016 was the warmest year on record. According to the report, researchers “estimated the natural El Niño warming in the tropical Pacific increased the annual global temperature anomaly for 2016 by 0.2 degrees Fahrenheit (0.12 degrees Celsius).”

“Not only was 2016 the warmest year on record, but eight of the 12 months that make up the year — from January through September, with the exception of June — were the warmest on record for those respective months. October, November, and December of 2016 were the second warmest of those months on record – in all three cases, behind records set in 2015,” read the report.

The severe changes in weather conditions due to El Nino event also led to the surge in the death of sea creatures, according to researchers, a report published in May 2016, by science news website Phys.org highlighted.

Meanwhile, in a graphical representation posted on Twitter, NASA scientist Gavin Schmidt on Wednesday referred to the change in the monthly temperature distribution since the 19^th century.

NOAA has previously highlighted its Annual Greenhouse Gas Index has increased by 40 percent from 1990 to 2016, primarily due to the rising carbon dioxide levels. The index tracks the warming influence of long-lived greenhouse gases.

As per the scientific agency, the five greenhouse gases that have accounted for about 96 percent increased climate warming since 1750 are: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and two chlorofluorocarbons.

Read: 10 Ways Global Warming Is Hurting The Environment

Citing the effect of greenhouse gases, an assessment published July 5, the World Meteorological Organization highlighted: “If greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase, Earth’s average global surface temperature could rise by more than four degree Celsius (7.2 Degree Fahrenheit) by the end of the 21^st century.” In many of the assessed cities, the maximum daily temperature could rise by six-nine degree Celsius, as per the analysis. For instance, in Paris, the average summer high temperature may rise up to 29 degree Celsius from the current 22 degree Celsius.

It goes without saying the effects of climate change are devastating. Underlining the repercussions, a report titled: “A Region at Risk: The Human Dimensions of Climate Change in Asia and the Pacific” recently revealed Asia has “approximately 130 million people who reside in low-elevation coastal zones and are at risk of being displaced by the end of the 21st century under worst-case scenarios” due to flooding.