Global temperatures surpass critical 1.5C warming threshold

Global temperatures reached a critical milestone in July 2026, surpassing the +1.5 degree Celsius warming threshold compared to pre-industrial levels. This month was recorded as the second hottest in meteorological history. Land temperatures rose by +2.03 degrees, while ocean surface temperatures increased by +1.25 degrees. Experts attribute these extremes to rising greenhouse gas concentrations and the effects of El Niño.

In response to extreme heat, countries are implementing various adaptation technologies. In Qatar, where temperatures can reach 46 degrees Celsius, authorities are using outdoor air conditioning, cooled running tracks, and heat-reflective pavements to maintain urban livability. Systems in areas like the Katara Cultural Village utilize targeted cooling, insulation, and heat storage to manage temperatures between 26 and 28 degrees Celsius. Other regions continue to face extreme conditions, including record-breaking heat in India and soil temperatures reaching 80.8 degrees Celsius in Iran's Lut Desert.