Global heat surge defies predictions, raising climate concerns

Earth's global temperatures remain near record highs in 2024, despite expectations that the end of El Niño would cool the planet.

Scott Dance and Ben Noll report for The Washington Post.

In short:

• Global temperatures hit record highs in 2023 and are on track to be even higher in 2024.
• Oceans, which absorb most of the planet’s heat, remain unusually warm, delaying expected cooling patterns.
• Cleaner air from reduced pollution may contribute to rising temperatures by allowing more solar radiation to reach Earth.

Key quote:

“The global ocean is warming relentlessly year after year and is the best single indicator that the planet is warming.”

— Kevin Trenberth, distinguished scholar with the National Center for Atmospheric Research

Why this matters:

Persistent high ocean temperatures can drive extreme weather, like heat waves, storms and droughts. If this trend continues, climate models may underestimate future warming, posing challenges for mitigation and adaptation efforts.

Related coverage:

• Summer heat risks escalating in the US
• Half a billion children face increasingly extreme heat
• Urban heat islands in the Great Lakes are endangering public health