PARIS: July 21 was the hottest day ever registered globally, according to preliminary data published on Tuesday by the EU’s climate monitor. The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) said the global average surface air temperature of 17.09 degrees Celsius (62.7 degrees Fahrenheit) on Sunday was the warmest in their record books, which go back to 1940.

It comes as heatwaves and wildfires ravage swathes of Europe and the United States. “The Earth has just experienced its warmest day,” the monitor said in a statement.

The new daily high was 0.01 degree Celsius above the previous record temperature of 17.08 registered on July 6, 2023. “On July 21st, C3S recorded a new record for the daily global mean temperature,” C3S director Carlo Buontempo said in a statement.

“We are now in truly uncharted territory and as the climate keeps warming, we are bound to see new records being broken in future months and years,” he said.

Though just a tiny rise above the previous record, what was “truly staggering” was the streak of unprecedented global heat recorded over the past 13 months, Buontempo added.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

China security ties
Updated 14 Nov, 2024

China security ties

If China's security concerns aren't addressed satisfactorily, it may affect bilateral ties. CT cooperation should be pursued instead of having foreign forces here.
Steep price
14 Nov, 2024

Steep price

THE Hindu Kush-Himalayan region is in big trouble. A new study unveiled at the ongoing COP29 reveals that if high...
A high-cost plan
14 Nov, 2024

A high-cost plan

THE government has approved an expensive plan for FBR in the hope of tackling its deep-seated inefficiencies. The...
United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.