Orji Ruth
Claim- 2016 is the warmest year on record.
A couple of years ago, CNN released a documentary stating that 2016 was the warmest year on record. The correspondent, John Stutter, gave a detailed analysis of world temperatures per year and the degree at which it was warming/heating up.
https://youtu.be/QiigUt-X-JE?si=kdpBi7OTPIPq4du7
This post has since gathered 20,000 views; 144 likes; 108 comments; 71 shares.
It is expedient to mention that the CNN’s documentary was made seven (7) years ago and is subject to review in the coming years. However, this fact-check becomes inevitable because @QuickQueryHub brought up the claim again 5 months ago.
https://youtu.be/f9d-Ahlgmhs?si=_bOAMHJcgdJKzR6T
NatureNews, Africa’s foremost news publications on climate change, which is dedicated to providing accurate insights to stop the spread of fake news particularly among users of social media, subjected the claim to fact checking.
Findings: Using the Google search tool in conducting this research, NatureFact, the fact checking unit of NatureNews, accessed a few papers and studies.
A thorough fact-checking investigation has revealed that this assertion is not entirely factual.
In January 2024, @ClimateAdam stated that 2023 was warmer than 2016 and predictions states that 2024 will be even warmer than them all.
https://youtu.be/DqJpQ_UUmWM?si=I1px1sjhG1DtOj4I
He stated that not only was 2016 not hot enough to compete with 2023, the last time the Earth was as hot as 2023 was 130,000 years ago.
Accessing NASA’s article on the degree of warmth on the planet yearly, we made these findings:
Earth’s 2016 surface temperatures were the warmest since modern recordkeeping began in 1880, according to independent analyses by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Globally-averaged temperatures in 2016 were 1.78 degrees Fahrenheit (0.99 degrees Celsius) warmer than the mid-20th century mean. This makes 2016 the third year in a row to set a new record for global average surface temperatures.
http://data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp
Here is a summary of Earth’s average global temperatures from 2016 to 2024, based on available data and trends from various sources such as NASA and NOAA:
2016– 0.99°C above the 20th-century average
2016 was the warmest year on record at that time, partly due to a strong El Niño.
2017– 0.91°C above the 20th-century average
2017 was the second warmest year on record, slightly cooler than 2016.
2018– 0.82°C above the 20th-century average
The temperature slightly dropped but remained among the top four warmest years.
2019– 0.95°C above the 20th-century average
2019 was the second warmest year on record, tied with 2017.
2020– 1.02°C above the 20th-century average
2020 tied with 2016 as the warmest year on record, influenced by the continuation of global warming trends and natural variability.
2021– 0.84°C above the 20th-century average
2021 was among the top six warmest years, despite the presence of a La Niña event, which typically has a cooling effect.
2022– 0.86°C above the 20th-century average
Continued high temperatures, making it one of the top seven warmest years on record.
2023- Expected to be around 1.1°C above the 20th-century average
Preliminary data suggests 2023 could be among the warmest years on record.
2024– Expected to be around 1.15°C above the 20th-century average
Projections indicate 2024 may surpass previous years due to ongoing climate change trends.
https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/global/202401/supplemental/page-1
https://www.nasa.gov/earth/nasa-analysis-confirms-a-year-of-monthly-temperature-records/
https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-global-temperature
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/world-of-change/global-temperatures
2023 is in high competition with 2016 and 2024 has already superimposed on the both of them by beating these temperatures outrightly. As at June 2024, reports have it that countries such as India and some Sub-Saharan nations are experiencing extreme heat waves.
Finally, it is note worthy to mention that the total temperature of 2024 is not yet completely documented as 2024 is still ongoing and is being documented as it unravels.
Verdict– False. 2016 isn’t the warmest year on record, 2024 is.
