New York: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) revealed in its report, that 2023 marked the hottest year on record, with unprecedented levels of greenhouse gases, surface temperatures, ocean heat, and acidification, among other concerning indicators. WMO has also warned that due to global warming, the year 2024 will likely prove to be the hottest.
the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has released its State of the Global Climate 2023 report, revealing alarming records and highlighting the urgent need for climate action. Experts in the report have indicated that there has been an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, land and sea temperatures, and the melting rate of glaciers over the past year.
According to the report, heatwaves, floods, droughts, wildfires, and intensifying tropical cyclones wreaked havoc globally, causing significant economic losses and disrupting millions of lives. The data confirmed that the global average near-surface temperature in 2023 was 1.45 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial baseline, making it the warmest year ever recorded.
The report states that from March of the past year to mid-February of the current year, the targeted increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius in global temperature, as per the Paris Agreement, could not be achieved. Instead, during this period, the global temperature has risen at a rate of 1.56 degrees Celsius.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “Sirens are blaring across all major indicators… Some records aren’t just chart-topping, they’re chart-busting. And changes are speeding up.”
WMO’s chief of climate monitoring, Omar Baddour, mentioned that the year following an El Niño event is generally warmer. Although we cannot predict whether 2024 will be the hottest year, there is a high possibility that the intensity of heat in the current year will surpass the record of 2023.
The report also highlighted the alarming loss of sea ice in Antarctica, record-high ocean heat content, and a sharp increase in global mean sea level. Additionally, glaciers experienced unprecedented melting, with significant implications for sea-level rise and global climate patterns.
Moreover, extreme weather events, including floods, tropical cyclones, heatwaves, and wildfires, had devastating socio-economic impacts on all continents. These events exacerbated food insecurity, population displacement, and other vulnerabilities, especially among the most marginalized populations.
Despite these dire trends, the report offers a glimmer of hope, pointing to the surge in renewable energy generation as a promising avenue for climate action. In 2023, renewable capacity additions increased by almost 50%, reaching a total of 510 gigawatts, marking the highest rate observed in two decades.
However, urgent and ambitious action is needed to address the widening gap between climate finance and the escalating costs of inaction. While global climate-related finance reached nearly USD 1.3 trillion in 2021/2022, adaptation finance remains insufficient, falling well short of the estimated needs.
As world leaders prepare to convene at the Copenhagen Climate Ministerial, the report serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need for accelerated climate action. Enhancing Nationally Determined Contributions and securing ambitious financing agreements will be critical in addressing the escalating climate crisis and safeguarding the planet for future generations.
The release of the State of the Global Climate report coincides with World Meteorological Day on March 23, setting the stage for renewed global efforts to combat climate change and protect vulnerable communities worldwide.
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