On July 4th, scientists reported that the average global temperature had reached 17.18°C, which was 0.98°C higher than the average for the late 20th century. This record-breaking temperature was attributed to climate change and the emerging El Niño weather pattern. An assessment by Climate Central found that this heatwave was at least five times more likely due to human-induced climate change. High temperatures were also recorded in the North Africa, British Isles, Nordic countries, and Antarctic regions. Friederike Otto, from the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment, stated that this temperature could be seen as a “death sentence for people and ecosystems”. Saleemul Huq, the Director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development, added that this was an indication of losses and damages from human-induced climate change.
