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September 2023 stands out as it recorded a remarkable 1.75-degree Celsius increase compared to the pre-industrial baseline of 1850–1900, making it a month with an unprecedented temperature deviation.

Central idea

In the relentless march of climate change, 2023 has emerged as a year of unprecedented heatwaves. Each passing month seems to shatter temperature records, leaving us with grim prospects for the remainder of the year. As September, the hottest on record, draws to a close, we must confront the sobering reality that 2023 may become the warmest year ever recorded.

2023 is poised to claim the dubious distinction of being the warmest year on record. The average temperature for the first nine months of the year already surpasses the corresponding period of 2016, the previous record holder.
In 2016, the average temperature was 1.28 degrees Celsius higher than pre-industrial times, and 2023 may breach the 1.5-degree Celsius mark for the first time.

The remarkable string of record-breaking temperature events in 2023 was not entirely unexpected. Scientists had foreseen this year’s warmth, primarily due to the development of El Niño in the Pacific Ocean.
While specific events couldn’t be predicted, the overall trend was ominous. Forecasts indicate that the last three months of the year will continue to be warmer than usual.

The record-breaking temperatures in September follow a pattern of extraordinary warmth throughout the year. July, in particular, stood out as the warmest month ever recorded, setting a new global monthly temperature high.
Multiple days in July broke daily temperature records. Preceding this, June claimed the title of the warmest June ever, and February, March, April, and May all ranked among the top five hottest for their respective months.

Despite the alarming rise in temperatures and the string of record-breaking events in 2023, there has been a noticeable lack of immediate policy responses from countries to combat climate change.
Addressing climate change in the short term is challenging, and there are limitations to what can be done to lower temperatures or prevent future warming events on an immediate timescale.
Only a global disruption on the scale of the COVID-19 pandemic could bring about significant deviations from the current trend of increasing temperatures.

There is an urgent need for decisive action in response to the unprecedented heatwaves and their associated impacts.
The world is rapidly approaching critical climate thresholds, including the 1.5-degree Celsius target set by the Paris Agreement.
The lack of immediate solutions and policy responses to mitigate climate change is a pressing concern.
Nations need to acknowledge the stark reality of climate change’s relentless advance and take immediate, robust, and meaningful measures to address the crisis.
Decisive action is required now to prevent irreversible consequences associated with global warming.

As nations prepare for the annual climate change meeting in Dubai, it is imperative that they acknowledge the stark reality of climate change’s relentless advance. The stock-take exercise must reveal the gaps in global climate action and serve as a wake-up call for more robust and immediate measures.