Last month was the second hottest July on record, ending a 13-month streak of record-breaking monthly temperatures, partly driven by El Niño, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. July was 1.48°C above the pre-industrial baseline, and the past year was 1.64°C higher due to climate change. Copernicus attributes these high temperatures largely to greenhouse gas emissions. Southern and eastern Europe, the western U.S., western Canada, most of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and eastern Antarctica saw above-average temperatures. Arctic and Antarctic sea ice levels were also significantly below average. Global sea temperatures remained near record highs. Copernicus researcher Julien Nicolas emphasized the long-term warming trend linked to human impact on climate.
