By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that July was the third-warmest on record, following two consecutive years of record-breaking temperatures. Despite a slightly lower global average, extreme weather events persisted, highlighting the ongoing effects of a warming world. The average global surface air temperature in July was still significantly above pre-industrial levels, and the 12-month period ending in July exceeded the 1.5°C warming threshold. The agency emphasized that unless greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, extreme weather events are likely to continue.
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July was Earth’s third-warmest on record, EU scientists say, which, on the surface, might seem like a minor detail, but it really underscores a trend.
It’s easy to get caught up in the immediate – perhaps a surprisingly cool July where you live, as some have mentioned. Maybe it was the coolest July you can recall, a pleasant break from the usual scorching heat. You might even think, “See, global warming is a hoax!” But the issue is, we have to remember the larger perspective. That “cool” July was still historically average, meaning that prior summers have been hotter. The trend is the real story, and the trend is, unfortunately, heading upward.
Here’s the kicker: the warming we’re experiencing *now* is largely a consequence of emissions from years, if not decades, ago. Even if we suddenly hit net-zero emissions, things will likely continue to get worse for a while. The warming is accelerating faster than anticipated, with potential “feedback loops” – like melting permafrost releasing methane – poised to dramatically accelerate the process even further. This is the scientific reality, regardless of what one person feels or experiences.
It’s important to be frank about the consequences. The obvious effects are worsening storms, more frequent and intense wildfires, and overall environmental dangers. But here’s where the situation becomes truly alarming: climate change threatens crop failures, which is *already* affecting food prices beyond existing inflation. Increased crop failures will disrupt global food distribution chains, which could very well trigger societal collapse. Many climate scientists are sounding the alarm on this.
The United States isn’t helping. You have a politician who actively dismisses climate change. Meanwhile, other countries are moving rapidly towards renewable energy, and we’re losing ground. This is a dangerous scenario.
The issue is that a failure to act now means we will be the “villains of the story.” We’ve chosen to ignore the science, embrace ignorance, and value short-term gains over long-term survival. Many people seem to be in denial. This “normalcy bias” is dangerous.
It’s also worth noting that weather patterns are becoming more chaotic. Cold fronts, for example, now carry more energy, leading to more extreme temperature swings. It can be tricky to explain to those who aren’t interested in the long-term effects of climate change, but it is something that we must begin to come to terms with.
It’s also about the big picture. We have very limited data. Reliable temperature recordings only go back to 1880, a tiny sliver of Earth’s vast 4.6-billion-year history. That doesn’t negate the data, but it does put it in perspective.
The summer of our discontent also brings about other issues. The heat is constant. It causes discomfort and stress. And yet, politicians seem to be ignoring the obvious. We need to be investing in solutions.
We need to remember that this is a worldwide problem. We’re all in this together. The current trends – the accelerating warming, the increasing frequency of extreme weather events – are all pointing in a grim direction. The fact that a particular month was the “third-warmest” instead of the “hottest ever” doesn’t mean things are getting better. It’s just a reminder of the trajectory we’re on.