Earth set another unofficial heat record this week, marking the third time in a week that the global average temperature reached a new high. The temperature on Thursday soared to 17.23 degrees Celsius (63.01 degrees Fahrenheit), surpassing the previous record of 17.01 degrees Celsius set just days before. These record-breaking temperatures, which are likely the highest in "at least 100,000 years," have raised concerns among scientists about the impacts of climate change. The records are based on observational data sets since the mid-20th century, but scientists believe they are indicative of the planet's warmest temperatures in a much longer timeframe. Climate data extracted from proxies like tree rings and ice cores support this hypothesis.

While some argue that the record-setting temperatures may not be official, scientists emphasize that the focus should be on the underlying causes of these extreme temperatures. The rise in global temperatures is primarily attributed to human-induced climate change and the natural weather pattern known as El Niño. Additionally, experts warn that societies have not adequately adapted to the impacts of extreme heat on both people and the environment. As the summer season in the Northern Hemisphere continues and El Niño persists, it is anticipated that more daily temperature records will be broken in 2023. These consistently high temperatures serve as a wake-up call to the urgent need for addressing climate change and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.