New York, July 27 (RHC)-- A new study finds this month’s record-shattering global heat wave would not have been possible without the continuing buildup of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere due to human activity. 

Scientists at World Weather Attribution say a rapid analysis of weather data taken this month across China, southern Europe and the American Southwest show high levels of carbon dioxide and other gases helped drive temperatures by as much as four-and-a-half degrees Fahrenheit above pre-industrial levels. 
The researchers warn the past 20 days have likely been the hottest such stretch in more than 100,000 years.  This comes as new research finds sea ice around Antarctica is in sharp decline and may never recover. 

Data from the University of Maine’s Climate Change Institute show almost 2 million square kilometers less sea ice has accumulated so far during the Southern Hemisphere’s winter compared to any previous year.