The five-year period ending in 2019 is set to be the warmest on record, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Published just days after global climate strikes rocked the world on Friday, the study suggests global average temperatures have increased 1.1 °C (1.98 °F) since pre-industrial days (1850-1900)—and by 0.2 °C (0.36 °F) compared to 2011-2015.
“Climate change causes and impacts are increasing rather than slowing down,” WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas, co-chair of the Science Advisory Group of the UN Climate Summit, said in a statement.
“As we have seen this year, with tragic effect in the Bahamas and Mozambique, sea level rise and intense tropical storms led to humanitarian and economic catastrophes,” he added.
Long-lasting heatwaves, record-breaking fires, and other devastating events like tropical cyclones, floods, and droughts have had major impacts on socio-economic development and the environment.
“The challenges are immense. Besides mitigation of climate change, there is a growing need to adapt,” Taalas said.
The global climate in 2015–2019 (via World Meteorological Organization)
The “most powerful way to adapt,” he explained, is to invest in early warning systems and “pay special attention to impact-based forecasts.”
“It is highly important that we reduce greenhouse gas emissions, notably from energy production, industry, and transport,” Taalas argued. “This is critical if we are to mitigate climate change and meet the targets set out in the Paris Agreement.”
“To stop a global temperature increase of more than 2 °C above pre-industrial levels, the level of ambition needs to be tripled,” he said. “And to limit the increase to 1.5 °C, it needs to be multiplied by five.”
Record greenhouse gas concentrations mean further warming (via World Meteorological Organization)
An accompanying WMO report shows that 2015-19 has seen a continued increase in carbon dioxide and other greenhouses gases in the atmosphere, reaching new records nearly 20 percent higher than the five preceding years.
That’s not good news for our environment or ourselves.
“Climate change is the defining challenge of our time,” according to UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “This important document … features the latest critical data and scientific figures on the climate crisis. It shows how our climate is already changing and highlights the far-reaching and dangerous impacts that will unfold for generations to come.
“Science informs governments in their decision-making and commitments,” he said. “I urge leaders to heed these facts, unite behind the science and take ambitious, urgent action to halt global heating and set a path towards a safer, more sustainable future for all.”
Among the WMO’s other notable climate concerns are shrinking ice, rising ocean heat and acidity, extreme weather events, and wildfires.
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