This year is likely to become the warmest on record globally for the third year in a row, new data has revealed.
The first nine months of 2016 have been the warmest on record, at an astonishing 0.99°C above average, according to the latest data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The analysis shows September 2016 was the second warmest September in 137 years of records, falling just 0.04°C shy of 2015’s record.
“The temperatures we have seen over the last eighteen months have been astonishing and extremely worrying,” the Climate Council’s Professor Tim Flannery said.
“Normally when records are broken, they’re only broken by a very small amount. But what we’re seeing now is records being set by enormous amounts, month after month.
“These records are an ominous sign of a climate that may be on the verge of crossing tipping points that will drive further warming.
“ Australia’s emissions continue to rise and the renewable energy industry has stalled due to policy uncertainty and politicking.”
“Australia’s new Environment and Energy Minister must immediately take action to put in place a plan to rapidly transition our energy systems away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy to protect Australians from worsening heatwaves, bushfires and sea level rise.”
For more information please contact Media Advisor Alexia Boland at alexia@climatecouncil.org.au