Record-breaking summer temperatures raise alarm for future

August 2023 was the warmest August on record, with global surface temperatures surpassing the previous record by more than half a degree, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The month also saw the third-highest temperature anomaly of any month on record. This comes as federal and international officials issue dire warnings about the worsening effects of climate change, with a study published in Science Advances stating that the Earth is now outside the safe operating space for humanity. The report confirms the trend of record-shattering heat waves, wildfires, and extreme weather events worldwide, with the warming oceans contributing to shrinking sea ice and impacting marine habitats, storm creation, and flooding events. The NOAA predicts a 95% chance that 2023 will rank among the two warmest years on record.