As Of Last Month, 30 Unbroken Years Of Global Temperatures Above 20th Century Average

Back in February 1985, The Heat Is On by US rock legend Glenn Frey was near the top of the music charts and unwittingly becoming something of an anthem for the global climate ever since.

Last month capped 30 years in which average monthly temperatures worldwide have been warmer than the average for the 20th century. That's 360 consecutive months. And that warming trend, which scientists say is mostly the result of a build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, remains strong - although there are finally signs that carbon emissions may be peaking. Ed. - sic.

February 2015 was either second or third warmest on record for the month, depending on US or Japanese government data. It was also warm enough to make the past 12 months the hottest such period in records going back to 1880, according to US space agency NASA, and comes after 2014 was declared the warmest calendar year recorded.

For Australia, one has to go back even earlier than Frey's hit song to find a hotter February. Last month was pipped only by February 1983 in terms of both average maximum or mean temperature, according to Bureau of Meteorology records going back to 1910. Malte Meinshausen, an associate professor at the University of Melbourne's school of earth sciences, said 30 years is a common period used by climate scientists to gauge trends beyond natural variations.


EDIT

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/thirty-years-of-consecutive-warmth-the-heat-really-is-on-20150317-1m0pyk.html


EDIT

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/thirty-years-of-consecutive-warmth-the-heat-really-is-on-20150317-1m0pyk.html