June was the hottest on record worldwide, federal data shows

The federal agency that tracks global temperatures reported Thursday that last month was the hottest June ever, the latest of several records this year.

“Last month’s combined global land and ocean surface temperature made it the warmest June on record and the warmest on record averaged for any April-June and January-June periods,” reports the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the most recent monthly analysis from their National Climatic Data Center.

The combined June temperatures were 61.1°F (16.2°C), which is 1.22°F (0.68°C) above the 20th century average of 59.9°F (15.5°C), according to the NOAA report.

While 2010 has been on average the warmest year ever, it remains unclear if the records will affect the Capitol Hill debate on climate legislation — despite Al Gore's efforts to call attention to the data.

Advocates of carbon caps are struggling to gain traction for including even a scaled-back climate change provision in upcoming Senate energy legislation.

Also, proponents of climate measures have focused their sales pitch on the idea that the legislation would create jobs (opponents disagree) and improve energy security, while averting dangerous warming has been a secondary message.