Every month, NASA scientists estimate Earth’s average global temperature from...

NASA Climate Change 1 year ago

Every month, NASA scientists estimate Earth’s average global temperature from measurements taken around the world. We release the data as the global temperature update. But what does it mean? 🌡️ ➡️Swipe for the breakdown. #ClimateChange #Temperature #EarthData #GlobalTemperature #Climate #NASA #Earth #NASAEarth Image Descriptions (1 of 2, continued in the comments): 1: On the right of the slide is the leftmost third of the global equal-area map of the July 2024 temperature anomaly relative to the July 1951-1980 mean. Most of the map is in shades of red, representing warmer than average temperatures. White arrows point to the map. On top is a black box with white text that reads: Each month NASA releases a global temperature update – but what does it mean? A color bar below the text shows how color on the map corresponds to temperature anomaly in degrees Celsius. 2: The background is the middle section of the global equal-area map of the July 2024 temperature anomaly relative to the July 1951-1980 mean. Most of the map is in shades of red, representing warmer than average temperatures. On top is a black box with white text that reads: Every month, NASA scientists estimate the average global temperature from measurements taken around the world. They use weather stations, ships, buoys, and other surface sensors. A photo in the bottom left corner shows a NOAA weather station and an animation in the upper right hand corner shows the locations of temperature measurements on a globe. 3: On the left is the right section of the global equal-area map of the July 2024 temperature anomaly relative to the July 1951-1980 mean. Most of the map is in shades of red, representing warmer than average temperatures. White text against a black background reads: Each month, the monthly global temperature is compared to the baseline average for that month. NASA uses the period from 1951-1980 as its baseline. A white arrow is pointing to the words baseline. The arrow is connected to a box with text that reads: Baseline: a long-term average used for comparison purposes. The color bar from slide 1 is at the top of the slide.

layersDaily Sustainability Digest

Published about 9 hours ago



Compressed earth block projects in Kenya’s drylands are signalling a shift towards sustainable construction that balances material performance with environmental sustainability in construction. By replacing kiln‑fired bricks and cement with locally produced low embodied carbon materials, these buildings achieve reduced embodied carbon while enhancing thermal comfort through passive design. The combination of thermal mass and vapour‑open walls supports sustainable building design adapted to warmer climates and delivers measurable gains in lifecycle assessment and life cycle cost efficiency.

As whole life carbon and embodied carbon in materials become central to regulation and procurement, codification and quality assurance will dictate how rapidly such natural materials scale to mainstream use. Compressed earth blocks in Kenya exemplify how local innovation aligns with sustainability targets and social benefits for communities adapting to climate stress.

European policy is steering the supply chain towards a circular economy in construction. Tighter controls on plastic imports are designed to foster a stable market for compliant recycled polymers and strengthen traceability. For manufacturers pursuing higher recycled content, this supports circular construction strategies and improves environmental product declarations (EPDs). For specifiers and project teams, it provides a stronger evidence base for whole life carbon assessment within sustainable building practices and reinforces the commitment to resource efficiency in construction.

The UK’s accelerating offshore wind capacity, now exceeding 16GW, deepens the transition towards net zero carbon buildings and reduces the carbon footprint of construction by decarbonising energy supply. As sites electrify and equipment integrates renewable sources, the alignment between energy‑efficient buildings and carbon neutral construction grows closer. This shift enables data‑driven evaluation of whole life carbon performance and encourages contracting models that value carbon intensity alongside cost, advancing low carbon design and net zero objectives across the sector.

In alpine zones and high‑risk regions, the integration of climate‑informed planning, geotechnical monitoring and enforceable safety zones underscores the need to view climate adaptation as a core aspect of sustainable architecture. Infrastructure such as Spain’s high‑speed rail demonstrates how green construction combined with whole life carbon accounting can deliver deep emissions cuts while improving resilience. The global construction industry must merge such systemic decarbonisation with eco‑design for buildings, green building materials and sustainable material specification, ensuring that every project contributes to long‑term building lifecycle performance and to decarbonising the built environment.

Show More

camera_altFeatured Instagram Posts:

Get your opinion heard:

Whole Life Carbon is a platform for the entire construction industry—both in the UK and internationally. We track the latest publications, debates, and events related to whole life guidance and sustainability. If you have any enquiries or opinions to share, please do get in touch.

eco

WLC Assistant

Ask me about sustainability

Hi! I'm your Whole Life Carbon assistant. I can help you learn about sustainability, carbon assessment, and navigate our resources. How can I help you today?