The World Meteorological Organization reported that despite an early cooling La Niña for half the year, 2012 will be one of the top ten hottest years since records started to be kept more than 160 years ago. Nearly half the population in the world has never experienced a month that was colder than normal globally. According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, September 2012 was the 16th month since 2000 that the Earth has tied or broken a monthly warm temperature record.
Runner up: A study conducted by the American Food and Drug Administration found that 90% of more than 100 different prescription and non-prescription drugs were still safe and effective to use even 15 years after their printed date of expiration.