ToplineAccording to Friday's data release by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Friday, July was the hottest month on Earth. Climate scientists have issued some of the most alarming warnings yet about the effects climate change has on weather.On July 11, 2021, people visited a thermometer in Death Valley National Park (California). The temperature readings on the... [+] thermometer are usually higher than the official recorded temperature. It peaked at 130 in July's extreme heat wave. (AP Photo/John Locher) ASSOCIATED PRESSThe Key FactsAccording to NOAA, the combined temperature of the sea and land surface was 1.67 degrees Fahrenheit higher than the 20th century average. This eclipsed the previous record of 0.02 degrees for the hottest month, which was set in June 2016 and later matched by NOAA in July 2019/2020. Extreme weather events were all over the globe, including a heatwave that raised the Death Valley's temperature to 130°F. This may have been the highest recorded, verifiable air temperature on Earth. The Atlantic hurricane season started off with a speedy start. Parts of Europe and China were also hit by major flooding, and the west was ravaged by wildfires. According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), Arctic sea ice coverage dropped to its fourth lowest level during July. However, Antarctic sea ice increased to its largest coverage area in July 2015, which is the longest span since 2015.Important BackgroundThe U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change published a disturbing report Monday warning that human-caused global warming has caused "unprecedented and possibly irreversible" changes in the climate. Based on more than 14,000 research papers worldwide, the report is the most comprehensive and up-to-date study of climate change and its impacts. Scientists have warned that climate change will lead to more extreme heat waves, droughts, and hurricanes. However, a warmer world means that it is likely we will see hotter months than July 2021. The IPCC states that there is some hope for avoiding global warming at a rate that could cause catastrophic global consequences. However, it would require the worldwide burning of fossil fuelsto drop rapidly.Important QuoteAccording to Dr. Rick Spinrad, NOAA Administrator, July's record shows that first place is the most dangerous. "This record is another reminder of the disruptive and disturbing path climate change has taken for the world.TangentLarge parts of the United States have been experiencing extreme heat through August. On Friday, excessive heat warnings were issued for New York City and Philadelphia in the northeast. This is the highest alert level of the National Weather Service for hot weather. For large parts of the northwest, including Seattle, Oregon, excessive heat warnings were in effect.Continue reading"Devastating": World Leaders Respond to Climate Report With Urgency and Anger Towards Rich Countries (Forbes).59% of Americans are under Heat Alerts Right Now (Forbes).Tropical Storm Elsa Floods New York City Subways as Storm Races Through Northeast
