The past few days have seen a surge of record-breaking heat around the world. According to scientists, the Earth experienced its hottest June on record, with deadly heatwaves hitting parts of Texas, Mexico, and India. Sea ice levels off the coast of Antarctica have also reached record lows. On Tuesday, global average temperatures soared to 62.6 degrees Fahrenheit, making it the hottest day since at least 1940. This unprecedented spike in temperatures has experts concerned about the future.

Climate scientists warn that this heatwave may be just the beginning. They predict that Earth could be entering a multiyear period of exceptional warmth driven by two main factors: the continued emissions of heat-trapping gases, primarily caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, and the return of the El Nino weather pattern.

While the records set this week are based on observational data sets that only go back to the mid-20th century, scientists believe that they are likely the warmest temperatures the planet has experienced in at least 100,000 years. This news highlights the urgent need for action to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

As the world grapples with this alarming heatwave, one question remains: How much hotter will it get in the future?