Second heat in May since the beginning of the records - alarm for Europe!

Second heat in May since the beginning of the records - alarm for Europe!

In May 2023, the second highest average temperature of 15.79 degrees Celsius was recorded worldwide, only 0.12 degrees below the record of May 2024. This data illustrates the progressive global warming, which has already become noticeable in the past few decades. May 2023 was also 1.4 degrees above the estimated mean from the period from 1850 to 1900, which underpins the alarming development of climate change. According to Süddeutscher Zeitung This trend is particularly reflected in parts of Northwest and Central Europe, where spring 2023 was exceptionally dry.

The precipitation and soil moisture values ​​in northwestern Europe have fallen to a record low; This has been the lowest level since at least 1979. The extreme drought led to a historical minimum in the spring outflow in Europe, which has not been reached since the beginning of the records in 1992. These worrying developments are regularly recorded by the Copernicus-Klimawandelienst which provides comprehensive data on temperature and precipitation.

The role of the Copernicus climate wall service

The Copernicus climate converter (C3S) not only offers valuable information about the climate in Europe and worldwide, but also supports EU policy for adapting and reducing damage. C3S aims to provide consistent and accessible climate data that can be used by a large number of users - including scientists, political decision -makers and the public. The data is based on billions of measurements that are collected by modern technologies such as satellites and weather stations. With information that partly goes back to the 1950s, C3S is an important resource within the global climate science system.

European cooperation in climate research, based on the World Climate Cappling Program (WCRP), is crucial to counter the challenges of climate change. C3S, which operates under the direction of the European Center for Medium -term weather forecasts (ECMWF), works closely with national climate service providers and academic institutions to create and use a wide -ranging database. Regular meetings and workshops promote the exchange of current knowledge and developments.

effects of global warming

The climatic changes are not only reflected in temperature records, but also in dramatic regional differences in the weather. The Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that the period from June to August 2023 was globally the warmest summer ever registered, with temperatures that were 0.7 degrees Celsius above the average from 1991-2020. Western Europe and Northern Europe were particularly affected this year, where increased precipitation were recorded, while other regions such as Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean were considerably drier.

These changes also have a direct impact on the environment and society. For example, global warming leads to an accelerated melt in the Alps, which not only changes the landscape, but also influences the sediment content in rivers. Even harmful substances such as uranium and nickel can be released more, which brings additional risks for water quality. The increased risk of rock falls has already led to the closure of high alpine hiking trails - a clear warning of the consequences of climate change that affect all of us.