What to Know About 2023 Being the Hottest Year on Record
NASA's recent analysis has revealed that the Earth's average surface temperature in 2023 surpassed all previous records, marking a troubling trend in the ongoing climate crisis. The analysis, conducted by scientists from NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York, found that global temperatures in 2023 were approximately 2.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 degrees Celsius) higher than the average during NASA's baseline period from 1951 to 1980.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the urgent need to address the climate crisis, stating:
“NASA and NOAA’s global temperature report confirms what billions of people around the world experienced last year; we are facing a climate crisis. From extreme heat, to wildfires, to rising sea levels, we can see our Earth is changing. There’s still more work to be done, but President Biden and communities across America are taking more action than ever to reduce climate risks and help communities become more resilient – and NASA will continue to use our vantage point of space to bring critical climate data back down to Earth that is understandable and accessible for all people. NASA and the Biden-Harris Administration are working to protect our home planet and its people, for this generation – and the next.”
The impact of extreme heat was widespread, affecting hundreds of millions of people globally. Each month from June to December set a record for its respective month, with July recognized as the hottest month ever recorded. The overall temperature increase in 2023 compared to the late 19th-century average was about 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 degrees Celsius).
Scientists, while attributing the long-term warming trend to human activity, also consider other factors such as El Niño, aerosols, pollution, and volcanic eruptions that contribute to short-term climate variations. The recent transition from La Niña to El Niño in May 2023 was a significant factor, aligning with the recorded peak temperatures.
Notably, the warming trend in the latter part of 2023 occurred before the expected peak impacts of the current El Niño event, projected for February to April 2024. Additionally, a study investigated the potential influence of the January 2022 eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai undersea volcano. The volcanic aerosols released into the stratosphere resulted in a minor cooling effect of less than 0.2 degrees Fahrenheit (0.1 degrees Celsius) in the Southern Hemisphere.
NASA, in collaboration with NOAA and the Hadley Centre, underscores the gravity of the climate crisis, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to address its impact. The recently launched U.S. Greenhouse Gas Center aims to provide critical climate data to decision-makers and the public, supporting collaborative initiatives across government agencies and private sectors.
NASA's comprehensive dataset of global surface temperatures for 2023 is publicly accessible, contributing to ongoing climate research and awareness efforts. The findings reinforce the urgency of prioritizing sustainable practices and implementing measures to mitigate the escalating challenges posed by climate change.
