The first six months of this year have continued to shatter global heat records, putting 2016 on track to be the Earth’s hottest year on record, the World Meteorological Organisation said on Wednesday. The United Nations-linked body said in a report that June 2016 was the 14th consecutive month of record heat around the planet and the 378th consecutive month with temperatures above the 20th Century average. The increased heat also resulted in widespread bleaching of coral reefs around world, threatening marine ecosystems, the report said. Watch Video: What’s making news“Another month, another record. According to NASA figures cited in the report, the first half of 2016 was on average 2.4 degrees (1.3 C) warmer than in the late 19th Century, prior to industrialization.

Source: Indian Express July 21, 2016 18:33 UTC