After The Hottest Day Ever Recorded, Scientists Sound Alarm About Accelerating Pace Of Climate Change

Last Sunday marked the world’s hottest day ever, and many parts of the Mediterranean are facing risks of wildfires as a result.

The record topped the previous one set a year ago, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. Global average temperatures have hit or exceeded a climate threshold for 12 months as climate change continues to threaten the earth.

The average temperature in June was 1.64 degrees Celsius higher than the entire period between 1850 to 1900, according to Copernicus, marking the hottest ever June.

Regions in southern Europe are particularly endangered, as temperatures in Greece have exceeded 40 degrees Celsius for the past two weeks. Firefighters have responded to two fires southeast of Athens, as well as threats of wildfires in villages in central and northern Greece.

Although cooler temperatures are expected this week, it still exceeded 39 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country on Tuesday.

Similarly, Spain is also facing the risk of fires this week, as it will approach 43 degrees Celsius in Seville and Cordoba on Wednesday. Southern France and Italy are also in danger.

Scientists and activists are sounding the alarm about the accelerating pace of climate change.

“Earth just experienced its hottest June day ever recorded,” wrote Colin McCarthy, a climate activist, on X. “This beats the old record from June 23, 2023. The planet has experienced unprecedented warmth over the last 12 months with clear links to climate change.”