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Global Temperature Surpasses Pre-industrial Levels for 12 Consecutive Months

Last month marked the first-ever 12-month period where Earth's average temperature exceeded a 1.5°C rise above the pre-industrial baseline.
Tourists shield themselves from the sun while visiting the Palace Museum during a heat wave on July 6 in Beijing, China. Credit: VCG via Getty Images

Last month broke records as the hottest June in observed history, marking the first-ever 12-month period where Earth’s average temperature surpassed 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial baseline, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service.

“This is more than a statistical oddity and it highlights a large and continuing shift in our climate,” said Carlo Buontempo, director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service. The report indicated that over the past year, the planet’s average temperature was 1.64 degrees Celsius above the 1850-1900 reference period.

Despite current anomalies, Buontempo added, “more records will be broken … This is inevitable unless we stop adding [greenhouse gases] into the atmosphere and the oceans.”

Other global temperature datasets concur with this 12-month streak, though some await finalization. “Global heating is continuing apace,” said Gavin Schmidt, director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York, noting that differences of a few tenths of a degree shouldn’t distract from the overall trend.

The 1850-1900 period is used as the reference for pre-industrial conditions, as it marks when direct temperature measurements became routinely available, explained Julien Nicolas, a senior climate scientist with Copernicus. Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, 196 countries pledged to limit warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, pursuing efforts to prevent it from exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius above that baseline.

Nicolas emphasized, “The 1.5 and 2 degree limits set in the Paris Agreement are targets for the average temperature over a twenty or thirty-year period.”

Since the Paris accord, Earth’s average monthly temperature first exceeded the 1.5-degree threshold in January 2016, staying above it through March of that year. The three months with the highest anomalies were November 2023 at 1.74C, February 2024 at 1.77C, and December 2023 at 1.78C.

Despite these spikes, Schmidt noted that the milestone isn’t as significant due to uncertainties about the exact pre-industrial baseline temperature. “The exact point at which we first cross 1.5 degrees Celsius may be exciting, but it’s not very important nor does it have much climate significance,” he said.

Former NASA climate scientist James Hansen suggested that mainstream climate institutions like the IPCC may be lagging behind in acknowledging the warming rate. “If IPCC doodles for another 10 years before it admits that we have reached more than 1.5 degrees of warming, we will be far above that level by that time,” he warned. Hansen noted that the rate of warming has accelerated to 0.32 degrees Celsius per decade since 2010.

The recent El Niño played a role in the rapid temperature increase, though Hansen argued it’s too large to be driven solely by El Niño. His research suggests a reduction in industrial aerosol pollution, which reflects solar radiation, contributed to recent temperature records.

Climate scientist Michael Mann from the University of Pennsylvania noted that the global average sea surface temperature recently dropped, indicating a temporary slowdown of warming as we head into La Niña. “What will remain is the steady long-term warming that will continue as long as human-generated carbon emissions continue,” Mann said.

Kevin Trenberth, a climate scientist in New Zealand, said the 12-month streak with temperatures more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial level is “not meaningful for science but it is meaningful societally and because of the Paris Agreement. It’s not unexpected and it will get worse.”

World Meteorological Organization Secretary-General Celeste Saulo highlighted that the frequency of exceeding the 1.5-degree level on a monthly basis is increasing, as seen in the latest Copernicus report.

Original Story at insideclimatenews.org

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Mississippi River Faces Persistent Saltwater Intrusion, Region Seeks Long-Term Solutions



For the third consecutive year, the Mississippi River is experiencing significant saltwater intrusion, prompting local communities and environmental experts to search for sustainable solutions. This recurring issue arises as the river’s flow decreases, allowing saltwater to move upstream and threaten drinking water supplies. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is actively involved in addressing this problem, employing temporary measures like saltwater barriers to mitigate the impact on affected areas.



Saltwater infiltration poses serious risks to public health and agriculture, as freshwater sources become compromised. The situation is exacerbated by prolonged periods of drought, which have reduced freshwater flow in the Mississippi River. According to the National Weather Service, drought conditions have worsened due to climate change, increasing the frequency and severity of saltwater intrusion events.



Local authorities are collaborating with federal agencies to explore permanent solutions. Among the proposed strategies are enhanced levee systems and improved water management techniques. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating the feasibility of long-term infrastructure projects to prevent further saltwater encroachment. Additionally, community leaders are advocating for increased funding to support these initiatives and safeguard the region’s water resources.



The impact of saltwater intrusion extends beyond drinking water concerns, affecting local ecosystems and agricultural productivity. Farmers in the region have reported crop damage due to elevated salinity levels in irrigation water. The Natural Resources Conservation Service is working with farmers to implement adaptive practices, such as planting salt-tolerant crops and improving soil management techniques.



As the Mississippi River continues to face challenges from saltwater intrusion, stakeholders emphasize the importance of collaborative efforts and innovative solutions. The ongoing threat underscores the need for comprehensive planning and investment to protect one of America’s most vital waterways from the impacts of climate change and environmental stressors.

November 19, 2024



Environmental activists have raised concerns over the fossil fuel sector’s significant impact on COP29, the latest United Nations Climate Change Conference. Activists argue that the industry’s presence diverts focus from critical climate actions.



The conference, designed to promote global climate agreements, faces criticism for allowing fossil fuel companies to participate extensively. Environmental groups claim these companies undermine efforts to reduce carbon emissions and transition to renewable energy sources.



According to Climate Action Network, fossil fuel representatives have increased their lobbying activities, aiming to weaken climate policies. These industries allegedly influence negotiations, leading to watered-down commitments that fail to address the urgency of climate change effectively.



Experts suggest that the influence of these companies stems from financial contributions and longstanding relationships with decision-makers. Critics argue that this affects the conference’s ability to enforce meaningful climate change regulations.



During the event, several protests highlighted the need for transparency and a stronger focus on sustainable energy solutions. Activists are calling for increased participation of renewable energy stakeholders in future conferences.



The controversy surrounding fossil fuel involvement at COP29 underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing industrial interests with the global imperative to combat climate change.



November 19, 2024