The average global temperature in the first six months of the year was the highest ever recorded for that period, in a trend that is likely to continue for the rest of the year, according to a recent report issued by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Last month, the average global temperature was 16.33oC, and there is a high probability that the temperature for the whole of this year will be well above average, the report said.
In the first half of the year, land and sea-surface temperatures were 0.85oC above the 20th century average and 0.09oC higher than the previous annual record that was set in 2010, according to the NOAA.
Commenting on the report, two Taiwanese climate scientists yesterday said that global warming is essentially irreversible.
Central Weather Bureau Director Cheng Ming-dean (鄭明典) said that average global temperatures are rising mainly due to increased emissions of greenhouse gases.
He said global warming is a fact and the pace of warming would depend on changes in the environment.
In 2013, the average temperature rose at a slow rate as the sea-surface temperature in the eastern Pacific was relatively low, Cheng said.
However, average global temperatures have been climbing again over the past two years in tandem with rising sea-surface temperatures in the eastern tropical Pacific, he said.
Average temperatures recorded in February, March, May and last month were the highest ever recorded for those months, and monthly temperatures are likely to continue to be record-breaking for the rest of the year, Cheng said.
National Central University atmospheric sciences associate professor Daniel Wu (吳德榮) said the public should acknowledge that global warming is a fact and take steps to protect the environment, conserve energy and reduce their carbon footprint.
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