According to newly released data from NASA, February’s average global surface temperature beat average temperatures for February from the years 1951 to 1980 by 1.35 degrees Celsius. The previous record was set recently, in January, with a jump of 1.14 degrees Celsius.
Though climate scientists are usually hesitant to base sweeping climate proclamations on such a small timeframe, these temperatures prove an exception, with specialists calling it “an ominous milestone,” “jaw-dropping,” and a “true shocker.” Some scientists say this suggests we are even closer than previously thought to the 2 degree threshold that is considered the limit at which global warming can be kept to safe levels. This may mean the 1.5 degree target pushed by some countries at the Paris climate talks is becoming increasingly unattainable.