This Week in Green – Oct. 30, 2010
Record weather — Part Two
For all the theoretical debate surrounding whether global warming is being caused by our growing population, what can’t be debated is the weather itself. It’s hot. Hotter than it’s ever been. So says the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
According to NOAA, with just two months left in the year, 2010 is on pace to tie 1998 as the warmest year on record (there’s that word again).
How hot? Glad you asked. Russia had its worst heat wave in 130 years with temperatures rising to 104. In Mohenjo-daro, Pakistan, it reached 129 degrees. In downtown Los Angeles, it reached 113. In Dongola, Sudan, the mercury reached 121 degrees. In Iraq, it reached 125.6 degrees. All were all-time records for each of those cities or countries.
If you think those were one-off occurrences, think again. June was the hottest month in world history. Yes, world history. The next warmest month ever recorded? How about May. May’s record broke the previous record set in April, which broke the previous record set in March.