Yearly Record Temperatures

2020 was either the hottest year on record, or the second hottest year on record. Or, as one researcher wrote it;

“Thank you for emailing me asking for comment about 20__ being one of the hottest years on record,” it reads. “Here is a comment you can use for your story: ‘Every year for the rest of your life will be one of the hottest in the record. This means that 20__ will end up being among the coolest years of this century. Enjoy it while it lasts.’” – Grist

The average increase in global temperature is 0.32F (0.18C) per decade. If there was normal variation within the atmosphere the average would be zero. The atmosphere is no longer normal because we’ve polluted it. Even at that rate of increase, there are significant impacts in natural disasters, sea level rise, and shifting local climates which will affect food production. Unfortunately, the rate of the increase is also increasing. Without a significant decrease in global pollution, the increase will increase. Also unfortunately, Nature’s stored carbon dioxide and methane are being released as permafrost melts and oceans warm. Thus, each year is likely to be the hottest on record – looking back, or the coolest to be expected – looking forward.