Last year, the Earth experienced one of its hottest years on record, according to several U.S. and global climate science organizations. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the EU’s Copernicus, and the UK’s Met Office have all confirmed that 2020 was the second or third-hottest year in recorded history. Even NASA, which had slightly different findings, agrees that 2020 was one of the hottest years on record.
The NOAA’s annual climate report states that the average global temperature in 2020 was 1.76 degrees Fahrenheit (0.98 degrees Celsius) above the 20th century average. This marks the 44th consecutive year with above-average temperatures, and the 10 warmest years have all occurred since 2005. These numbers are alarming and serve as a reminder that climate change is not a distant threat, but a present reality.
The EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service also found that 2020 was the third-warmest year globally, with temperatures 2.25 degrees Fahrenheit (1.25 degrees Celsius) above pre-industrial levels. This is just shy of the 2016 record, which was 2.34 degrees Fahrenheit (1.3 degrees Celsius) above pre-industrial levels. The UK’s Met Office also reported similar findings, with 2020 being the third-warmest year on record.
However, NASA’s analysis revealed that 2020 was the second-hottest year, just behind 2016 by a margin of only 0.04 degrees Fahrenheit (0.02 degrees Celsius). This may seem like a small difference, but in the context of climate change, it is significant. The numbers were so close that NASA’s director, Gavin Schmidt, stated, “It’s effectively a statistical tie.”
Regardless of the minor discrepancies between the findings of these organizations, the overall message is clear: the Earth is getting hotter. The warming trend is a result of human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and trap heat. These actions have caused the Earth’s average temperature to rise by 2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 degrees Celsius) since the late 19th century.
The consequences of this warming trend are already being felt around the world. Heatwaves, wildfires, and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense. Glaciers and polar ice caps are melting, causing sea levels to rise, and threatening coastal communities. The ocean is also absorbing more carbon dioxide, leading to ocean acidification and devastating effects on marine life.
The COVID-19 pandemic may have dominated the news in 2020, but the climate crisis has not gone away. In fact, the pandemic has highlighted the interconnectedness of global issues and the need for urgent action. As we continue to battle the pandemic, we must not forget the looming threat of climate change and the steps we need to take to mitigate its effects.
The good news is that we can still make a difference. The Paris Agreement, a global effort to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, has been ratified by 189 countries. Many countries are also setting ambitious targets to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and transition to clean energy. However, these efforts must be accelerated, and every individual has a role to play.
We can all take small but impactful actions in our daily lives, such as reducing our carbon footprint by using public transportation or cycling, eating less meat, and supporting companies that prioritize sustainability. We can also urge our governments to take bold and immediate action to address climate change.
The Earth has shown us time and time again that it is a resilient planet, capable of recovering from even the most catastrophic events. However, we must remember that it is our home, and we have a responsibility to take care of it. As we move forward into 2021 and beyond, let us use this wake-up call to come together and take meaningful action to protect our planet for future generations.
