The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has raised concerns about the possibility of global temperatures surpassing the record set in 2023. According to the UN weather agency, 2023 marked the hottest year on record, with temperatures nearly 1.5°C higher than pre-industrial levels. This alarming trend poses a significant challenge, emphasizing the urgent need for decisive action to mitigate climate change.
Record-Breaking Temperatures in 2023:
The WMO's analysis of six international data sets revealed that the global average temperature in 2023 surpassed the pre-industrial period by 1.45°C, with a small variance of plus or minus 0.12°C. This information aligns with data released by the EU's Copernicus Earth observation program, indicating a global average temperature of 14.98°C for the year, surpassing the previous record set in 2016.
Monthly Temperature Records and El Nino Impact:
Throughout 2023, new temperature records were established each month, with July and August experiencing particularly high temperatures. WMO Secretary-General Prof Celeste Saulo highlighted the shift from a cooling La Nina to a warming El Nino, contributing to the temperature rise. Prof Saulo emphasized that as El Nino typically has a lasting impact on global temperatures, 2024 could witness even higher temperatures.
Climate Crisis and Urgent Action:
Prof Saulo stressed that climate change is the most significant challenge facing humanity, affecting vulnerable populations the most. Urgent measures, including drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and a swift transition to renewable energy sources, are imperative to address this crisis. The WMO Secretary-General urged global cooperation and prompt action to tackle climate change.
Long-Term Climate Change Trends:
Since the 1980s, each decade has been hotter than the previous one, and the past nine years have consecutively been the warmest on record. Prof Saulo pointed out that while El Nino events fluctuate yearly, longer-term climate change is accelerating due to human activities, exacerbating global inequalities and hindering sustainable development efforts.
Call for Immediate Action:
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized that humanity's actions are causing severe harm to the planet, describing 2023 as a preview of a catastrophic future. Guterres urged ambitious efforts to limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5°C, as outlined in the Paris Agreement, to avoid the worst consequences of climate change and ensure climate justice.
Conclusion:
The provisional State of the Global Climate in 2023 report by WMO, published on November 30, highlighted unprecedented records broken across various climate indicators. The final report, expected in March, will delve into the socio-economic impacts on food security, displacement, and health. The urgency to address climate change and adhere to the Paris Agreement's temperature targets remains critical to secure a sustainable and resilient future for our planet.