The hottest April.

April 2024 marked the warmest April on record globally, with an average surface air temperature of 15.03°C, surpassing the previous high set in April 2016 by 0.14°C, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). C3S, funded by the EU and implemented by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, regularly publishes climate bulletins based on extensive data from satellites, ships, aircraft, and weather stations. This warming trend, continuing for 11 consecutive months, reflects a broader pattern observed since 2015/2016, with April 2024 being 1.58°C warmer than the estimated average for the pre-industrial period (1850-1900).

We cannot ignore the effect this has on farming. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights worsening crop yields for maize, rice, soybean, and wheat in Europe due to climate change. This includes more frequent and intense heatwaves, which hinder plant growth and worsen droughts, leading to significant crop damage and livestock losses. Human-induced climate change was a significant factor in Europe's extreme heatwave last July, causing widespread agricultural losses and wildfires, such as those in Greece. Additionally, warmer temperatures increase moisture in the atmosphere, resulting in heavier rainfall and elevated flood risks, as evidenced by flooding in countries like Italy last May.