A new study analyzing ancient tree rings reveals that last summer was the hottest in the past 2,000 years, with unprecedented warmth across the Northern Hemisphere.
Tree rings indicate summer 2023 was 4 degrees warmer than the average from 1 to 1890.
The study suggests that current warming trends surpass the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement.
High heat fueled severe weather events globally, from wildfires to intense heat waves and heavy rains.
Key quote:
“It’s true that the climate is always changing, but when you look at the long sweep of history, you can see just how dramatic recent global warming is.”
— Jan Esper, lead author, Johannes Gutenberg University
The U.N. weather agency says Earth endured its hottest Northern Hemisphere summer ever measured with a record warm August capping a season of brutal and deadly temperatures.
