NOAA: Global Temperatures Hit Record High

 According to a report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2016 and 2015 were the hottest years on record to date, out of 137 years of data collection. 

 The data was compiled by scientists around the globe, the 299 page State of the Climate Report revealed the last two years have been some of the most extreme weather cases, including the highest sea levels and lowest sea ice levels in Antarctica and the Arctic.  The report also unveiled the last two years have been some of the worst for droughts. 

 Climate Scientist Jessica Blunden of NOAA said the 2016 weather was, "very extreme and it is a cause for concern.” Blunden said that El Nino was a contributing factor in the first half of the year, but it is not solely the cause. 

 Records highs for greenhouse gase emissions including: methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide were also hit in 2016.  "The annual increases in methane and nitrous oxide were pretty much in line with their decadal trends, but the rise in global carbon dioxide of 3.5 [parts per million] was the largest year-over-year increase observed in the 58-year measurement record," Blunden said. 

 The full report from the NOAA you can find here.