Heat records tumble as global temperatures soar

Global temperatures are hitting unprecedented levels, igniting wildfires and altering climates across continents.

Umair Irfan reports for Vox.

In short:

• January 2024 became the warmest January on record, with February likely to follow suit, as various regions face extreme temperatures.
• The robust El Niño effect and continuous human emission of greenhouse gases are exacerbating the warming, with significant changes in precipitation patterns.
• Winters in northern climates are warming faster than summers, affecting water storage and ecosystem stability, while the Southern Hemisphere battles intense summer heat and natural disasters.

Why this matters:

The ongoing heat waves underscore the immediate impacts of climate change on health, from increased wildfire risks to the destabilization of crucial ecosystems, and highlight the urgency of integrating robust science into policy-making on a global scale.

Hot temperatures may be bad for brains, even young and healthy ones.