GLOBAL AVERAGE TEMPERATURE IN EIGHTIES WARMER THAN TODAY

AI Overview: In 1988 the average temperature was 0.612 F higher than the 1950-1979 average of 59 F, marking 1988 as the hottest year on record, continuing the 1980’s trend of record high temperatures. That year’s temperature was also 0.252 F warmer than in 2024 at 59.360 F. The British Meteorological Office and East Anglia’s Climatic Research Unit conducted the research, which suggested a potential link to the greenhouse effect, though scientists advised a note of caution due to limited data at the time of this post.

Key Data Points:

1988 Temperature vs. Base Period: 1988 was 0.612°F hotter than the 1950-1979 average.

1950-1979 Average: The baseline temperature for comparison was 59°F.

Comparison to 1987: 1988 was 0.018°F warmer than the previous record-holder, 1987.

Data Source: The research was conducted by scientists from the British Meteorological Office and the University of East Anglia’s Climatic Research Unit.

Context :

1980s Warming Trend:

The 1988 results were part of a larger pattern of record-setting high temperatures throughout the 1980s.

Greenhouse Effect Theory:

Some scientists viewed this as strong evidence of a long-term global warming trend potentially caused by the greenhouse effect, where heat-trapping gases from human activities accumulate in the atmosphere.

GORE: A group of 16 Senators led by Al Gore, Democrat of Tennessee, yesterday signed a letter to President Bush citing the findings and saying that the data “illustrates clearly that global climate change is real, that global warming is not a problem that will disappear if we ignore it and that there is an increasingly urgent need for policies that address these issues.”

“Dr. Phil Jones, a climatologist at East Anglia, said global temperatures and the six warmest years in order were, 1988, 1987, 1983, 1981, 1980 and 1986.”

Warmth In ’88 Is Found To Set a Record – The New York Times

They global temperature baseline at 59 F (15 C), which had been used since 1901, was lowered to (57 F (14 C) in 1998.

Earth Temperature in 1998 Is Reported at Record High

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