The last 12 months were the hottest on record
About 1 in 4 people experienced a climate change–driven heat wave at least five days long
![This image shows a man in Houston wiping sweat from his brow amid a record-breaking heat wave in June.](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/110823_cg_hottest-year_feat.jpg?fit=1030%2C580&ssl=1)
Andres Matamoros wipes sweat from his face as he sells fresh fruit from his roadside stand in Houston, on June 28, amid a record-breaking heat wave in the city.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip