SCIENTISTS called for urgent action on global warming today after experts revealed that February was the hottest on record across the globe.

The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) said that the average air temperature in February was 13.54°C (56.4°Fahrenheit) which was 1.77°C (3.18F) warmer than the pre-industrial average for the month — a new record.

January had also been recorded as the warmest first month of the year, beating the previous warmest January in 2020.

Ocean temperatures in February also hit a record high.

The average global sea surface temperature reached 21.06°C (69.91°F) in February, beating the previous record of 20.98°C (69.77°F) set in August of last year.

Last month, after scientists warned of the exceptional heat fuelled by climate change, C3S deputy director Samantha Burgess said: “Rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are the only way to stop global temperatures increasing.”

Marine scientists warned this week that a fourth global mass coral bleaching event is likely unfolding in the Southern Hemisphere, driven by warming waters, possibly the worst in the planet’s history.