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United News of India
09-07-2025
- Climate
- United News of India
World records third-warmest June, says EU climate service
Brussels, July 9 (UNI) June 2025 was the world's third-warmest June on record, trailing only 2023 and 2024, said the EU-funded Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) on Wednesday. The global average surface air temperature in June was 16.46 degrees Celsius, 0.47 degrees above the 1991-2020 average for the month and 1.3 degrees higher than the 1850-1900 pre-industrial level, C3S said in its monthly bulletin. Europe's average temperature for the month was 18.46 degrees, making it the fifth-warmest June on record. Western Europe, however, experienced its warmest June ever, with temperatures averaging 20.49 degrees. "June 2025 saw an exceptional heatwave impact large parts of Western Europe, with much of the region experiencing very strong heat stress," said Samantha Burgess, strategic lead for climate at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. She warned that heatwaves are likely to become "more frequent, more intense and impact more people across Europe" in a warming world. Beyond Europe, above-average temperatures for June were observed across the United States, northern Canada, central and eastern Asia and West Antarctica. June's global average sea surface temperature (SST) over latitudes from 60 degrees north to 60 degrees south was 20.72 degrees, the third-highest for the month. An "exceptional" marine heatwave developed in the western Mediterranean, where daily SSTs peaked at 27 degrees, the highest ever recorded in the region for June, marking the largest daily SST anomaly globally for any month, C3S noted. "The long-term trend of rising ocean temperatures is evident globally," said Julien Nicolas, senior scientist at C3S. He noted that higher SST poses a rising threat to marine ecosystems and biodiversity as oceans absorb around 90 percent of the excess heat caused by human-induced climate change. Nicolas urged faster action to cut greenhouse gas emissions and to improve climate resilience. "Reducing emissions and adapting our cities and communities to a world with more extreme weather is critical," he said. UNI XINHUA GNK
India Gazette
29-06-2025
- Science
- India Gazette
Extreme heatwaves underscore climate urgency, demand action
Scientists have widely agreed that the persistent rise in greenhouse gas emissions since the Industrial Revolution is the primary driver of this year's intense heatwaves. LONDON, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Over the past few weeks, heatwaves have hit several regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including parts of North America, Europe, and eastern Asia. As the Northern Hemisphere endures a summer of unprecedented heat, experts warn that these extreme events are not isolated anomalies but stark evidence of accelerating climate change. From Europe to North America and Asia, the impacts are straining societies, economies, and ecosystems, prompting urgent calls for both immediate adaptation and long-term mitigation. DRIVERS OF EXTREME WARMTH "These are separate events, not a single heatwave event sweeping across the Northern Hemisphere," said Julien Nicolas, senior scientist at the Copernicus Climate Change Service. "Affected regions are often separated by areas with colder-than-average conditions." Despite their geographic separation, these events share a common underlying cause -- human-induced climate change. Scientists have widely agreed that the persistent rise in greenhouse gas emissions since the Industrial Revolution is the primary driver of this year's intense heatwaves. The still-unbroken trend of rising temperatures, largely attributed to anthropogenic greenhouse gases, has led to record-high sea surface temperatures, further warming the lower atmosphere, Andreas Walter, spokesperson for the German Meteorological Service, has told Xinhua. Heatwaves are often triggered and sustained by stationary high-pressure systems, sometimes referred to as "heat domes." These systems trap hot air near the surface and block the formation of cooling clouds and precipitation, leading to prolonged periods of extreme heat, Nicolas explained. In Britain, a persistent high-pressure zone has led to parched soils and rising surface temperatures, intensifying the heatwave's impact. Another contributing factor is the transition from El Nino to La Nina, which can weaken the West African monsoon and shift hot tropical air northward into Europe. This process supports the persistence of high-pressure systems and prolongs heat and drought conditions. In the United States, heat waves are the deadliest form of extreme weather. The current wave is particularly concerning, as it marks the first of the season yet brings temperatures more typical of midsummer, not June. Affecting around 150 million people from Wisconsin to Washington D.C., this event bears all the hallmarks of human-induced climate change. Simultaneously, Europe is experiencing similarly searing temperatures, also intensified by global warming. In Slovenia, average temperatures have risen by about two degrees Celsius since 1961, doubling the global average and leading to more frequent and severe heatwaves. Aemet, Spain's national weather agency, has issued a special warning, forecasting highs of up to 42 degrees Celsius in the country's southern regions in the coming days. In neighbouring Portugal, around two-thirds of the country will be placed under high alert on Sunday due to extreme temperatures and the risk of wildfires. Lisbon could see highs of 42 degrees Celsius. In Italy, where cities such as Naples and Palermo are bracing for 39 degrees Celsius, the regions of Sicily and Liguria have introduced bans on outdoor work during the hottest parts of the day. According to the World Meteorological Organization, Asia is warming at nearly twice the global average. This rapid warming has fueled a series of record-breaking and unusually early heat waves in 2025. Earlier this month, India's capital, New Delhi-home to over 30 million people, is facing a historic heatwave, prompting the India Meteorological Department to issue a red alert. Temperatures in several areas are soaring 41-45 degrees Celsius, surpassing long-term averages by three to four degrees. Meanwhile, in Pakistan's Punjab region, temperatures have reached 50 degrees Celsius, a level considered "close to the survival threshold." WIDESPREAD CONSEQUENCES "Through its influence on extreme heat, human-induced climate change puts a massive burden on societies, leading to thousands of premature deaths and severe strain on infrastructure and ecosystems," said Fredi Otto, lead scientist at the World Weather Attribution project. "It also causes significant agricultural losses and reductions in productivity." Moreover, their impact on public health and vital sectors continues to escalate. According to a real-time analysis in 2025 by the London School of Hygiene Tropical Medicine and Imperial College London, an estimated 570 people in England and Wales may have died due to high temperatures between June 19 and June 22. Health authorities have issued warnings as temperatures near 39 degrees Celsius in countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, with some regions experiencing their driest June on record. Hospitals are reporting rising cases of heatstroke, dehydration, and cardiovascular issues. Public officials are urging residents to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activities, and care for vulnerable neighbors. The agricultural sector is also under acute stress. In many parts of Europe, prolonged drought and extreme heat have left soils dangerously dry, threatening major crops such as corn and sunflower and reducing grain yields, including barley. Forests are also vulnerable to wildfires and pest outbreaks, exacerbated by warmer winters. HungaroMet's June 2025 agrometeorological report highlights extreme drought across large areas of Hungary. In central and southeastern regions of the country, rainfall since March has been 40-100 mm below average. Topsoil moisture is below 20 percent in most areas, with corn and sunflower leaves curling, and even early-harvested barley is suffering. Infrastructure systems are also being tested. Roads and railways are buckling under heat stress, power grids face surging electricity demand, and many regions are grappling with water shortages. The economic toll is growing. The World Bank warns that, if current trends continue, extreme heat could reduce annual GDP in European and Central Asian cities by up to 2.5 percent by 2050. URGENT MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION MEASURES NEEDED Governments and communities are intensifying efforts to protect public health and adapt to a rapidly warming climate. In Britain, amber weather alerts have been issued alongside widespread public messaging on heat safety. Local councils are proactively checking on vulnerable residents and opening cooling centers. Across Europe, similar measures are underway. Slovenia has activated emergency protocols, extended pool hours, and disseminated health guidance through multiple channels. Experts stress that while short-term responses are crucial, long-term adaptation is even more essential. "Cities, in particular, must implement measures to mitigate the impact of heatwaves, such as increasing urban greenery and providing shaded areas," said Andreas Walter. Urban greening, reflective surfaces, and climate-conscious architecture are increasingly promoted as key strategies to combat the urban heat island effect. At the policy level, some countries are making progress. Slovenia, for example, is incorporating climate adaptation into national planning, with a focus on infrastructure, water resource management, and disaster risk reduction. Still, experts caution that adaptation alone is not enough. "Reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains essential to limit the worsening extremes of weather for future generations, but there is also an urgent need to improve our preparedness for more severe hot, dry but also wet weather extremes as the climate continues to warm," said Richard Allan.
The Star
29-06-2025
- Science
- The Star
News Analysis: Extreme heatwaves underscore climate urgency, demand action
LONDON, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Over the past few weeks, heatwaves have hit several regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including parts of North America, Europe, and eastern Asia. As the Northern Hemisphere endures a summer of unprecedented heat, experts warn that these extreme events are not isolated anomalies, but stark evidence of accelerating climate change. From Europe to North America and Asia, the impacts are straining societies, economies, and ecosystems, prompting urgent calls for both immediate adaptation and long-term mitigation. DRIVERS OF EXTREME WARMTH "These are separate events, not a single heatwave event sweeping across the Northern Hemisphere," said Julien Nicolas, senior scientist at the Copernicus Climate Change Service. "Affected regions are often separated by areas with colder-than-average conditions." Despite their geographic separation, these events share a common underlying cause -- human-induced climate change. Scientists have widely agreed that the persistent rise in greenhouse gas emissions since the Industrial Revolution is the primary driver of this year's intense heatwaves. The still-unbroken trend of rising temperatures due to anthropogenic greenhouse gases has led to record-high sea surface temperatures, further warming the lower atmosphere, Andreas Walter, spokesperson for the German Meteorological Service, has told Xinhua. Heatwaves are often triggered and sustained by stationary high-pressure systems, sometimes referred to as "heat domes." These systems trap hot air near the surface and block the formation of cooling clouds and precipitation, leading to prolonged periods of extreme heat, Nicolas explained. In the United Kingdom, a persistent high-pressure zone has led to parched soils and rising surface temperatures, intensifying the heatwave's impact. Another contributing factor is the transition from El Nino to La Nina, which can weaken the West African monsoon and shift hot tropical air northward into Europe. This process supports the persistence of high-pressure systems and prolongs heat and drought conditions. In the United States, heatwaves are the deadliest form of extreme weather. The current wave is particularly concerning, as it marks the first of the season yet brings temperatures more typical of midsummer, not June. Affecting around 150 million people from Wisconsin to Washington D.C., this event bears all the hallmarks of human-induced climate change. Simultaneously, Europe is experiencing similarly searing temperatures, also intensified by global warming. In Slovenia, average temperatures there have risen by about two degrees Celsius since 1961, doubling the global average and making heatwaves both more frequent and more severe. Aemet, Spain's national weather agency, has issued a special warning, forecasting highs of up to 42 degrees Celsius in the country's southern regions in the coming days. In neighbouring Portugal, around two-thirds of the country will be placed under high alert on Sunday due to extreme temperatures and the risk of wildfires. Lisbon could see highs of 42 degrees Celsius. In Italy, where cities such as Naples and Palermo are bracing for 39 degrees Celsius heat, the regions of Sicily and Liguria have introduced bans on outdoor work during the hottest parts of the day. According to the World Meteorological Organization, Asia is warming at nearly twice the global average. This rapid warming has fueled a series of record-breaking and unusually early heatwaves in 2025. Earlier this month, India's capital, New Delhi-home to over 30 million people, is facing a historic heatwave, prompting the India Meteorological Department to issue a red alert. Temperatures in several areas are soaring 41-45 degrees Celsius, surpassing long-term averages by three to four degrees. Meanwhile, in Pakistan's Punjab region, temperatures have reached 50 degrees Celsius, a level considered "close to the survival threshold." WIDESPREAD CONSEQUENCES "Through its influence on extreme heat, human-induced climate change puts a massive burden on societies, leading to thousands of premature deaths and severe strain on infrastructure and ecosystems," said Fredi Otto, lead scientist at the World Weather Attribution project. "It also causes significant agricultural losses and reductions in productivity." Moreover, their impact on public health and vital sectors continues to escalate. According to a real-time analysis in 2025 by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Imperial College London, an estimated 570 people in England and Wales may have died due to high temperatures between June 19 and June 22. Health authorities have issued warnings as temperatures near 39 degrees Celsius in countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, with some regions experiencing their driest June on record. Hospitals are reporting rising cases of heatstroke, dehydration, and cardiovascular issues. Public officials are urging residents to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activities, and care for vulnerable neighbors. The agricultural sector is also under acute stress. In many parts o Europe, prolonged drought and extreme heat have left soils dangerously dry, threatening major crops such as corn and sunflower and reducing grain yields, including barley. Forests are also vulnerable to wildfires and pest outbreaks, exacerbated by warmer winters. HungaroMet's June 2025 agrometeorological report highlights extreme drought across large areas of Hungary. In central and southeastern regions of the country, rainfall since March has been 40-100 mm below average. Topsoil moisture is below 20 percent in most areas, with corn and sunflower leaves curling, and even early-harvested barley is suffering. Infrastructure systems are also being tested. Roads and railways are buckling under heat stress, power grids face surging electricity demand, and many regions are grappling with water shortages. The economic toll is growing. The World Bank warns that, if current trends continue, extreme heat could reduce annual GDP in European and Central Asian cities by up to 2.5 percent by 2050. URGENT MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION MEASURES NEEDED Governments and communities are intensifying efforts to protect public health and adapt to a rapidly warming climate. In the UK, amber weather alerts have been issued alongside widespread public messaging on heat safety. Local councils are proactively checking on vulnerable residents and opening cooling centers. Across Europe, similar measures are underway, Slovenia has activated emergency protocols, extended pool hours, and disseminated health guidance through multiple channels. Experts stress that while short-term responses are crucial, long-term adaptation is even more essential. "Cities, in particular, must implement measures to mitigate the impact of heatwaves, such as increasing urban greenery and providing shaded areas," said Andreas Walter. Urban greening, reflective surfaces, and climate-conscious architecture are increasingly promoted as key strategies to combat the urban heat island effect. At the policy level, some countries are making progress. Slovenia, for example, is incorporating climate adaptation into national planning, with a focus on infrastructure, water resource management, and disaster risk reduction. Still, experts caution that adaptation alone is not enough. "Reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains essential to limit the worsening extremes of weather for future generations, but there is also an urgent need to improve our preparedness for more severe hot, dry but also wet weather extremes as the climate continues to warm," said Richard Allan.
The Guardian
06-02-2025
- Science
- The Guardian
Hottest January on record mystifies climate scientists
A run of record-breaking global temperatures has continued, even with a La Niña weather pattern cooling the tropical Pacific. The Copernicus Climate Change Service said last month was the warmest January on record, with surface-air temperatures 1.75C above preindustrial levels. The EU-funded Earth observation programme highlighted wetter-than-average conditions in eastern Australia and drier-than-average conditions in other parts of the country. Samantha Burgess, the strategic lead for climate at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, said: 'January 2025 is another surprising month, continuing the record temperatures observed throughout the last two years … Copernicus will continue to closely monitor ocean temperatures and their influence on our evolving climate throughout 2025.' Sea-surface temperatures remained unusually high in many ocean basins and seas. January marked the 18th month of the past 19 to record global-average surface temperatures above the 1.5C preindustrial level. Under the Paris climate agreement, world leaders said they would try to prevent global temperatures rising by more than 1.5C – but the threshold was based on long-term multidecadal warming and not short-term monthly temperatures. Climate scientists had expected this exceptional spell to subside after a warming El Niño event peaked in January 2024 and conditions shifted to an opposing, cooling La Niña phase. But the heat has lingered at record or near-record levels, prompting debate about what other factors could be driving it to the top end of expectations. Julien Nicolas, a climate scientist at Copernicus, told Agence France-Presse: 'This is what makes it a bit of a surprise: you're not seeing this cooling effect, or temporary brake at least, on the global temperature that we were expecting to see.' La Niña is expected to be weak, and Copernicus said prevailing temperatures in parts of the equatorial Pacific Ocean suggested a slowing or stalling of the move towards the cooling phenomenon. Nicolas said it could disappear by March. Last month, Copernicus said global temperatures averaged across 2023 and 2024 had exceeded 1.5C for the first time. This did not represent a permanent breach of the long-term 1.5C target under the Paris climate accord but it was a clear sign the limit was being tested. Scientists say every fraction of a degree of warming above 1.5C increases the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, heavy rainfall and droughts. Copernicus said Arctic sea ice in January hit a monthly record low. Analysis from the US this week showed it was the second-lowest in that dataset. Overall, 2025 is not expected to follow 2023 and 2024 into the history books: scientists predict it will rank the third-hottest year yet. Copernicus said it would closely monitor ocean temperatures for hints about how the climate might behave. Oceans are an important climate regulator and carbon sink, and cooler waters can absorb greater amounts of heat from the atmosphere, helping to lower air temperatures. They also store 90% of the excess heat trapped by humanity's release of greenhouse gases. Nicolas said: 'This heat is bound to resurface periodically. I think that's also one of the questions: is this what has been happening over the past couple of years?' Sea-surface temperatures were exceptionally warm in 2023 and 2024, and Copernicus said readings in January were the second highest on record. 'That is the thing that is a little puzzling – why they remain so warm,' Nicolas said. Scientists are unanimous that burning fossil fuels has driven long-term global heating, and that natural climate variability can also influence temperatures from one year to the next. But natural warming cycles such as El Niño could not alone explain what had taken place in the atmosphere and seas, and answers were being sought elsewhere. One theory is that a global shift to cleaner shipping fuels in 2020 accelerated warming by reducing sulphur emissions that make clouds more mirror-like and reflective of sunlight. In December, another peer-reviewed paper looked at whether a reduction in low-lying clouds had let more heat reach Earth's surface. 'It's really still a matter of debate,' Nicolas said. The EU monitor uses billions of measurements from satellites, ships, aircraft and weather stations to aid its calculations. Its records go back to 1940, but other sources of climate data – such as ice cores, tree rings and coral skeletons – enable scientists to expand their conclusions using evidence from much further in the past. Scientists say the current period is likely to be the warmest the planet has been in 125,000 years.
The National
06-02-2025
- Science
- The National
El Nino shift fails to prevent hottest ever January
An emerging 'La Nina' weather pattern that cools global temperatures was not enough to prevent last month becoming the hottest January on record, scientists have said. January 2025 was 0.79°C above the 1991-2020 global average for the month and 1.75°C above pre-industrial levels, scientists from the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) said. It extends a persistent run of record highs over 2023 and 2024, as human-caused greenhouse gas emissions crank up the global thermostat. It makes it the 18th month in the last 19 for which average global air surface temperatures were more than 1.5°C above what they were before the industrial era. Climate scientists had expected this exceptional spell to subside after a warming El Nino event peaked in January 2024 and conditions gradually shifted to a cooling La Nina phase. But the heat has lingered at record or near-record levels since, sparking debate among scientists about which other factors could be driving global warming to the top end of expectations. "This is what makes it a bit of a surprise ... you're not seeing this cooling effect, or temporary brake at least, on the global temperature that we were expecting to see," said Julien Nicolas, a climate scientist from Copernicus. La Nina is expected to be weak and Copernicus said prevailing temperatures in parts of the equatorial Pacific Ocean suggested "a slowing or stalling of the move towards" the cooling phenomenon. Mr Nicolas said it could disappear completely by March. Overall, it means 2025 is not expected to follow the previous two years into the history books: scientists predict it will be the third-hottest year since records began. Scientists warn that every fraction of a degree of warming above the 1.5°C threshold increases the intensity and frequency of extreme weather such as heatwaves, heavy rain and drought. The analysis, using billions of measurements from satellites, ships, aircraft and weather stations around the world, also found the 12-month period from February 2024 to January 2025 was 1.61°C above the estimated temperature for 1850-1900, which is used to define the pre-industrial era. The record highs come despite the emergence of the La Nina pattern in the Pacific, which temporarily cools global temperatures. The data shows sea-surface temperatures outside the polar regions averaged 20.78°C, making it the second-hottest January after last year's record. Temperatures were below average in the central Pacific but close to or above average in the eastern Pacific – suggesting a slowing or stalling of the move to La Nina conditions, while surface temperatures were unusually high in many other oceans and seas. The average temperature over land in Europe was 1.8°C, which is 2.51°C above the 1991-2020 average for January, making it the second-warmest January for the continent after 2020. While temperatures were mostly above average over southern and eastern Europe, they were below average in the UK and Ireland, Iceland, northern France and northern Scandinavia. Samantha Burgess, strategic lead for climate at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, which runs C3S, said: 'January 2025 is another surprising month, continuing the record temperatures observed throughout the last two years, despite the development of La Nina conditions in the tropical Pacific and their temporary cooling effect on global temperatures. 'Copernicus will continue to closely monitor ocean temperatures and their influence on our evolving climate throughout 2025.'
