Cycle or Apocalypse?

A cycle is a period within which a sequence of regularly recurring events completes itself. “Apocalypse” is a Greek term meaning “disclosure” or “revelation”; in Christian theology, it refers to the last book of the New Testament, which describes the signs of the end of the world. For some, this signifies the Rapture. Recent climate patterns may feel apocalyptic to many, especially as July 21 was recorded as the hottest day on record by most weather bureaus—until July 22, when temperatures were reported to have risen even further.

The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, using sophisticated formulas processed by advanced supercomputers, has created a real-time map of Earth’s climate (tracking temperature, wind, and precipitation) for every 30-square-kilometer area. This technique, known as “reanalysis,” goes back to records from 1940. Unfortunately, the findings paint a grim picture: 2023 has been declared the hottest year on record, with each month over the past 13 months breaking temperature records.

Five prominent weather agencies collaborated on these findings using reanalysis methods: The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NASA, The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), The China Meteorological Administration, The Japan Meteorological Agency.

Using algorithms (based on the Arabic numeral system), these agencies arrived at the same conclusions. Historical records indicate that July has traditionally been the hottest month, so they were prepared for higher temperatures.

Some speculate that these extreme conditions signal the end times, reminiscent of the Book of Revelation. However, if it is any comfort, the Bible states that “nobody knows the day and the hour except the Lord.” Scientists, on the other hand, have long dealt with cycles, which are often predictable. For instance, the cycle of the seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—is reliable. In Asia, we experience the monsoon season beginning in July, while the Philippines alternates between the amihan (northeast monsoon) and habagat (southwest monsoon). Additionally, we have the El Niño phenomenon, characterized by warmer and drier weather, followed about five years later by La Niña, which brings cooler, rainier conditions.

Records suggest that the last Ice Age ended approximately 5,000 years ago, with a minor ice age occurring about 200 to 300 years ago. So, are we back to square one? Are the extreme weather patterns of today part of natural climate cycles, or are they signs of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?

All sources agree that the months from July 2023 to July 2024 have been exceptionally hot. To quote Alfred E. Neuman from Mad Magazine: “What? Me Worry?”