As climate envoys from the two biggest greenhouse gas emitters prepare to meet next month, temperatures broke June records in the Chinese capital Beijing, and extreme heatwaves have hit the United States.
This month, temperatures in certain parts of North America were about 10 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average, and dangerous air was covered over Canada and the U.S. East Coast by forest fire smoke, with carbon emissions reaching a record 160 million metric tons.
Extreme heat has been recorded in Spain, Iran, and Vietnam, prompting concerns that the deadly summer of last year could become commonplace. Deaths have reportedly increased in India, one of the most climate-vulnerable nations, as a result of continuous high temperatures.
According to climate experts, there has been an increase in the severity and frequency of extreme weather events this year, including fatal cyclones in Africa and the world's most severe droughts.
The Worldwide Fund for Nature, meanwhile, expressed concern over a "worrying lack of momentum" during this month's climate conference in Bonn, noting that little progress had been made in advance of the COP28 climate meetings in Dubai on important topics including fossil fuels and financing.