In an analysis conducted by a non-profit organisation, it has been found that the last 12 months were the hottest ever recorded. It was also found that In 170 countries, mean temperatures over the span exceeded 30-year norms, exposing 7.8 billion people — 99 per cent of human population — to above-average temperatures. Only two countries, Iceland and Lesotho recorded cooler-than-average temperatures.

The analysis by US-bases Climate Central reveals that in India, 1.2 billion people or 86 per cent of the population experienced Climate Shift Index (CSI) level-three temperatures on 30 or more days. A CSI level of ‘three’ indicates that a local daily temperature was made at least three times more likely due to climate change. In China that figure was 513 million residents — 35 per of the population; and in the United States, 88 million — 26 per cent of the population. 

“This 12-month record is exactly what we expect from a global climate fueled by carbon pollution,” Andrew Pershing, vice president for science at Climate Central was quoted in a press release

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“Records will continue to fall next year, especially as the growing El Niño begins to take hold, exposing billions to unusual heat. While climate impacts are most acute in developing countries near the equator, seeing climate-fueled streaks of extreme heat in the U.S., India, Japan, and Europe underscores that no one is safe from climate change,” he added.

The analysis noted that while the last year has set records, it is not surprising that we are in the midst of a warming trend fueled by carbon pollution.

“As long as humanity continues to burn coal, oil, and natural gas, temperatures will rise and impacts will accelerate and spread. The analysis presented here underscores how efforts to reduce emissions and limit warming will benefit people around the world,” it mentioned in its conclusion.