Once a year, climatologists examine arctic ice at its peak level of melt to determine how severe the year’s effects on the climate have been. Now that we are in Mid-August, that day is quickly approaching.

Though we do not yet know what the year’s data will provide, we know enough not to be hopeful. The globe’s climate issues continue to degrade, with hotter peak temperatures being registered nearly daily.

Though the world met for a Global Climate Summit just a few months ago, the results have been slow, and unprecedented action is needed to save humanity’s place on this magificent earth.

But for now, we must take the temperature of our ailing earth to see how long the virus of humanity has left.

Watch.