ISLAMABAD:
The world faced the hottest May this year in 135 years and 2015 is on track to be the hottest on record, according to latest data from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
According to the NOAA report released, the global average temperature over land and ocean surfaces for May 2015 was the highest for the month since 1880, when the agency started maintaining records.
In addition, the January-May global average temperature was also at a record high, livemint.com reported.
The temperatures in 2015 have surpassed what was recorded last year.
During May, the average temperature across global land and ocean surfaces was 1.57øF (0.87øC) above the 20th century average. This was the highest for May in the 1880-2015 record, surpassing the previous record set in 2014 by 0.14øF (0.08øC).
Secretary-general World Meteorological Organization Michel Jarraud warned that high impact weather and climate extremes are likely to occur with greater frequency and intensity due to climate change. Rising temperatures, a changing water cycle, record amounts of greenhouse gases, and warming and acidifying oceans are having a major impact on society.
“We still have a window of opportunity to act and prevent irreversible damage, but it is closing fast,” he added.
