Past seven years hottest on record, prompting calls for stronger climate action

Temperature records continued to be broken in 2021, with US scientists confirming the Earth experienced its sixth hottest year on record.

A firefighter helps to contain the Wooroloo-Chidlow bushfire in Western Australia on 27 December 2021. Source: AAP/WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services

For 25 countries, 2021 was their warmest year on record with record-high temperatures in parts of northern Africa, south Asia and areas of South America.

Australian climate scientists say the findings reinforce the longer-term trend of rising temperatures around the world.