Record-Breaking Hottest Day Ever on Earth

Sunday, July 21 was an unprecedented day. Not only because President Joe Biden made the unexpected announcement of dropping out of the presidential race so close to the election, but also for climatic reasons. According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, it was officially recorded as being the hottest day in history with a global average temperature reaching 62.76 degrees Fahrenheit. 

This record slightly surpasses that set on July 6 of last year and marks another milestone in our planet's escalating heat trend. For thirteen consecutive months now, we have been witnessing new temperature records across various scales - from yearly to monthly highs. 

Carlo Buontempo, director of Europe's Copernicus service, expressed his astonishment at this dramatic increase in temperatures over such a short period: "What is truly staggering is how large the difference is between the temperature of these last thirteen months and previous records." He added that we are venturing into uncharted territory and warned that more records are likely to be shattered if current warming trends persist. 

The steady rise in global temperatures can primarily be attributed to carbon emissions which have caused Earth's average temperature to increase by approximately 0.11 degrees F per decade since 1850. This rate has accelerated significantly since 1982 with an alarming increase rate averaging at around 0.36 degrees per decade. 

Last year alone witnessed previously unparalleled heat levels making it one of ten warmest years ever recorded; all within just this past decade! Furthermore, daily global average temperatures have consistently exceeded previous records set back on August 13th,2016 (62.24 degrees F). 

Various other factors may also contribute towards this surge in heat including El Niño effects still lingering from earlier this year or perhaps even natural variations causing some summers hotter than others regardless human-induced warming influences. 

Shang-Ping Xie, a climate scientist at Scripps Institution Oceanography San Diego warns us about potential repercussions due El Niño, such as an anticipated active Atlantic hurricane season due to North Atlantic warming. Warm ocean waters are the primary fuel source for cyclones like Hurricane Beryl which devastated Texas earlier this month. 

In addition to these concerns, Zeke Hausfather from Berkeley Earth points out that we're currently in peak global average temperatures due to Northern Hemisphere summer maturing and absorbing more of the sun's energy than southern oceans which could cool things down. 

Despite these alarming findings, there may still be a glimmer of hope on the horizon. With El Niño subsiding, its cooler counterpart La Niña might form in coming months potentially bringing much needed relief by reducing global temperatures as early as 2025.  

However, regardless of potential La Niña effects or other climatic anomalies; it is clear that our planet has not only entered uncharted territory but also one fraught with increasing peril if drastic measures aren't taken soon enough. This past year's unprecedented heat levels serve as a stark reminder about the urgency required in addressing climate change before it’s too late.