🌡️ 2023 confirmed as the hottest year on record

2023 has officially been declared the warmest year in the past 125,000 years, according to scientists. Despite official data for December not yet being calculated, the record-breaking heat was already confirmed by mid-December. The Copernicus Climate Change Service, NASA, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are expected to confirm these findings in the coming weeks. The rising temperatures pose a significant threat to island nations such as the Cayman Islands, where several months in 2023 exceeded recorded annual averages. 🌍

Global ocean temperatures set new records in 2023, leading to widespread coral bleaching. In July, the ocean temperature in the Florida Keys reached an unprecedented 101°F. The Cayman Islands, which are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels, have begun planning for climate change mitigation and future-proofing. However, following a political coup, these plans have not been budgeted for in the next two years. The ten warmest years on record have all occurred since 2014, with 2023 now holding the top spot. 🌊

Scientists are warning that global temperatures will continue to rise due to heat-trapping emissions and human development. Predictions for 2024 suggest it could be even hotter, driven by a strong El Niño. The World Meteorological Organization estimates that the period from 2023 to 2027 will likely be the warmest five-year period ever recorded. There is a reasonable chance of a year temporarily exceeding 1.5°C of global warming, which would undermine hopes of keeping the planet’s increase in temperature under that target. 🔥