The world endured its hottest summer with devastating impacts

This summer was the hottest on record, with severe heat, storms and rising diseases affecting every continent.

Sarah Kaplan reports for The Washington Post.

In short:

• Global temperatures rose 1.5°C above preindustrial levels, driven by climate change and El Niño.
• Deadly heat waves, wildfires and extreme weather events, including a record-breaking hurricane, hit multiple regions.
• Antarctica experienced unprecedented heat, shrinking sea ice levels and puzzling scientists.

Key quote:

“Within five to 10 years ... what we’re experiencing right now will be looked back upon as a mild year. We are inevitably in for a rough ride.”

— Johan Rockström, director of Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

Why this matters:

Rising temperatures lead to more extreme weather, threatening lives, ecosystems and economies. Without urgent action to cut greenhouse gases, the situation will worsen, impacting everyone globally.

Related:

• Arctic heat surges to unprecedented levels
• Record-breaking heat scorches Japan and China this summer
• Half a billion children face increasingly extreme heat