According to a report made for BBC by Georgina Rannard, Erwan Rivault, Jana Tauschinski, and the BBC Climate Reporter & Data Team, the world is witnessing a series of alarming climate records, with scientists expressing deep concerns over the unprecedented speed and timing of these events, which they fear may be indicative of worst-case scenarios unfolding.

As global temperatures continue to rise, scientists and experts emphasize that the Earth is in uncharted territory due to the combined effects of global warming from burning fossil fuels and the first El Niño since 2018.

This summer has seen several climate records shattered, further heightening apprehensions among the scientific community. The month of July experienced the hottest day ever recorded, with the global average temperature surpassing 17°C for the first time, reaching 17.08°C on July 6th, according to the EU climate monitoring service Copernicus. This alarming rise in temperature is largely attributed to ongoing emissions from burning fossil fuels, such as oil, coal, and gas.

Dr. Friederike Otto, a climate scientist from Imperial College London, underscores the human role in driving this upward trend. She confidently states that "humans are 100% behind the upward trend" and that the predictions of a warming world due to increased greenhouse gas emissions are coming true.

The appearance of the first El Niño since 2018 has also played a significant role in accelerating global warming. El Niño, a powerful naturally occurring climate fluctuation, brings warmer water to the surface in the tropical Pacific, resulting in increased global air temperatures. This year's average global temperature in June was a staggering 1.47°C above the typical June in the pre-industrial period.

The impact of these climate changes is not only confined to land but extends to the world's oceans as well. Extreme marine heatwaves have been observed, with the average global ocean temperature breaking records for the months of May, June, and July. The North Atlantic Ocean is experiencing particularly alarming heatwaves, with temperatures off the west coast of Ireland reaching 4°C to 5°C above average in June. While directly attributing these marine heatwaves to climate change is complex, it is clear that the warming world has caused the oceans to absorb a substantial amount of heat from the atmosphere.

The effects on marine ecosystems are profound, with organisms requiring 50% more food to function normally in such extreme heat. The consequences extend beyond marine life, as oceans are responsible for producing 50% of the world's oxygen, making their health critical to the overall well-being of the planet.

Another significant concern is the record-low Antarctic sea-ice observed in July. The area covered by sea-ice in the Antarctic is now approximately 10 times the size of the UK less than the 1981-2010 average. The decline in Antarctic sea-ice had not followed the global trend until 2015, and scientists are struggling to precisely determine the link between this dramatic reduction and climate change. It could be related to local weather conditions or ocean currents, but the speed and extent of the decline have surprised experts.

While scientists are unable to precisely forecast the next ten years, they warn that the pace and magnitude of these unprecedented climate changes are closer to the worst-case scenarios envisioned. The situation highlights the complexity of the climate system, making immediate linkage between individual events and climate change challenging.

It is essential to view these events as part of a broader pattern and acknowledge that the Earth is in a new era. However, climate experts caution against labeling it a "climate collapse" or "runaway warming." They emphasize that there is still time to secure a liveable future for many, and collective efforts are needed to address the urgent climate crisis.

As the year progresses and the world enters 2024, more climate records are expected to be broken. The situation demands immediate action and cooperation on a global scale to combat the effects of climate change and work towards a sustainable future.