July 2019 was the joint-hottest month on Earth (July 2016 was equally hot), according to the United Nations.
Due to the rise in global temperature, in 2019, the extent of sea ice in the polar regions has dropped well below the average levels seen in past three decades. This is expected to add to the increasing sea levels, which have been steadily rising in the recent years.
Off-target
According to the Paris Agreement 2015, the objective was to restrict global temperature rise to about 1°C in the first 30-year period, compared to the pre-industrial average. The target has been missed every year since then.
The graph shows global-average temperature for July relative to 1850-1900 average.
Accelarated meltdown
Both the Arctic and Antarctic sea ice extents dropped to their lowest at various points of time in 2019. The chart shows the change in sea ice extent in 2019 compared to 1979-2010 average.
A sea change
Since 1993, global sea level has risen by an average of 3.3 mm per year. This increase is usually caused by water from melting ice sheets and glaciers and the expansion of sea water as it warms.
The graph shows the change in sea level since 1993 in mm.
