Climate Central: The hottest 12-month stretch in recorded history
The hottest 12-month stretch in recorded history
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Leading up to COP28, Climate Central scientists assessed worldwide air temperatures for climate fingerprints over the past 12 months (November 1, 2022 to October 31, 2023).
Analysis using the
Climate Shift Index (CSI) Climate Centrals daily local temperature attribution system indicates that human-caused climate change significantly elevated temperatures over the last 12 months. The analysis looks at daily average temperatures and heat waves and includes data for 175 countries, 154 states/provinces, and 920 major cities.
With an average warming of more than 1.3°C, the past 12 months were the hottest on record. El Niño is just beginning to boost temperatures, but based on historical patterns, most of the effect will be felt next year. Rapidly reducing carbon pollution every year is required to halt the warming trend.
Over the entire year-long period, 90% percent of people (7.3 billion) experienced at least 10 days of temperatures very strongly affected by climate change, and 73% (5.8 billion) experienced more than a months worth of these temperatures. These days had a CSI of 3 or higher; CSI level 3 indicates that human-caused climate change made those temperatures at least three times more likely.