When considering why it is not surprising that 2016 was the third consecutive year to experience record high temperatures, the following concepts related to the greenhouse effect can be applied:
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Increased Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have led to higher concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere. This enhances the greenhouse effect, trapping more heat and contributing to rising global temperatures.
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Cumulative Effects of Climate Change: Climate change is a long-term trend influenced by both natural and anthropogenic factors. The cumulative effect of rising GHG concentrations contributes to consistently higher temperatures over time, leading to consecutive years of record heat.
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Positive Feedback Mechanisms: Various feedback mechanisms can exacerbate warming. For example, melting ice reduces the Earth's albedo (reflectivity), causing more solar radiation to be absorbed and leading to further warming. This can create a cycle that perpetuates rising temperatures.
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Ocean Heat Absorption: Oceans absorb a significant portion of the Earth's heat, and as they warm, they can influence weather patterns and atmospheric conditions, leading to a rise in global temperatures.
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Climate Variability and Extremes: Climate change can increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including heatwaves. This can contribute to multiple records being broken in successive years.
In summary, the interconnectedness of increased greenhouse gas emissions, feedback mechanisms, and climate variability helps explain why it is not surprising that 2016 had record high temperatures.