Preliminary data from the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service indicates that July 21, 2024, marked the hottest day ever recorded globally. The global average surface air temperature reached a scorching 17.09 degrees Celsius (62.76 degrees Fahrenheit), surpassing the previous record set in July last year by a slight margin, according to the EU climate monitor.

This new milestone underscores the alarming rate at which global temperatures are rising. The director of the EU climate monitor, Carlo Buontempo, expressed concern over the significant difference between the temperature of the past 13 months and previous records. He emphasized that as the climate continues to warm, we can expect to witness the breaking of more temperature records in the coming months and years.

Heatwaves have been plaguing several parts of the world, including the United States, Europe, Russia, and even Gaza. For Palestinians who have already been displaced due to the ongoing conflict in the region, the heatwave exacerbates their already challenging living conditions.

Moreover, the unsettling trend of increasing temperatures shows no signs of abating. Since June 2023, every month has been the hottest on record since data collection began. Scientists unequivocally attribute these scorching temperatures to human-induced global warming.

Looking towards the future, some experts speculate that 2024 may surpass the record-breaking temperatures observed in 2023. The combination of ongoing climate change and the El Nino weather phenomenon, which subsided in April, has contributed to the relentless upward trajectory of temperatures this year.

As the world grapples with the consequences of rising temperatures, it becomes increasingly evident that urgent action is needed to mitigate the impacts of climate change. The record-breaking heat experienced in 2024 serves as a stark reminder of the imperative to prioritize sustainable practices and adopt global strategies to combat and adapt to a rapidly warming planet.