Surface Temperatures In 2015 Were Warmest In Modern Record

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New analysis from NASA and NOAA concludes that 2015 saw the Earth’s surface encounter its warmest temperatures since modern record keeping began.

Independent analyses carried out by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) concluded that “globally-averaged temperatures in 2015 shattered the previous mark set in 2014 by 0.23 degrees Fahrenheit (0.13 Celsius).” Specifically, the temperatures during 2015 “continue a long-term warming trend, according to analyses by scientists at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York.”

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Both NASA and NOAA, having conducted independent analyses, concluded that 2015 was the warmest year on record, but there is a slim chance of 6% that uncertainty in individual values gathered might rescind this particular record — though not by enough to impact the long-term global warming trend we are seeing.

“Climate change is the challenge of our generation, and NASA’s vital work on this important issue affects every person on Earth,” said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. “Today’s announcement not only underscores how critical NASA’s Earth observation program is, it is a key data point that should make policy makers stand up and take notice – now is the time to act on climate.”

Many will be aware that phenomena such as El Niño or La Niña have an impact on global surface temperatures — in this case, warming or cooling the tropical Pacific Ocean respectively; during most of 2015, a warming El Niño was in effect.

“2015 was remarkable even in the context of the ongoing El Niño,” said GISS Director Gavin Schmidt. “Last year’s temperatures had an assist from El Niño, but it is the cumulative effect of the long-term trend that has resulted in the record warming that we are seeing.”

 

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Joshua S Hill

I'm a Christian, a nerd, a geek, and I believe that we're pretty quickly directing planet-Earth into hell in a handbasket! I also write for Fantasy Book Review (.co.uk), and can be found writing articles for a variety of other sites. Check me out at about.me for more.

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