2023 Warmest Year, Global Mean Temperatures 1.4℃ Higher Than Pre-1900 Levels, Says WMO | News18 at COP28 – News18

Climate scientists had forewarned, and the data has proved it. Year 2023 is set to end as the warmest year in the 174-observational record, confirmed the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) at COP28, where representatives from nearly 200 countries have begun crucial talks to take stock of the inadequate climate action.

Data until the end of October shows that the globally averaged near-surface temperatures were about 1.4℃ (±0.12°C) above the pre-industrial (1850-1900) average.

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With this, 2023 has surpassed the previous warmest years 2016 and 2020, according to the provisional State of the Global Climate report released by the WMO. The temperature figures are a consolidation of six leading international datasets.

The numbers are not surprising given how the many parts of the world, including India sweltered through unusually extreme heat in 2023. The Earth experienced its warmest June-September period with July 2023 ending as the warmest July ever.

MAIN REASON: GHG EMISSIONS AT RECORD HIGH

The world is consistently warming due to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere. According to the report, the atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide which reached record high in 2022, also continued to surge in 2023. In fact, the CO2 levels are now 50% higher than the pre-industrial era. Since this heat-trapping gas lingers in the atmosphere for over hundreds of years it will continue to make the atmosphere warmer for future generations. The rate of increase of methane was the second highest on record, after 2021 and the rate of increase of nitrous oxide was the highest-ever on record, as per the report.

Scientists say a shift from La Niña to El Niño during the year also contributed to the exceptional warming. The sea-surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean crossed typical temperature thresholds by June, but the atmosphere was slower to respond, and it was not until early September that El Niño conditions were well established in both the atmosphere and ocean. To make matters worse, a strong El Niño event this winter is further set to fuel the heat in 2024.

RISING SEA LEVELS, OCEAN HEAT CONTENT

Since around 90% of the energy that accumulated in the Earth system since 1971 was stored in the ocean, the ocean heat content has reached its highest levels too. Report shows that ocean warming rates show a particularly strong increase in the past two decades, which is expected to continue and will be irreversible. There will be impacts. Tropical Cyclone Mocha, which developed in the Indian Ocean in May, was one of the most intense cyclones ever observed in the Bay of Bengal.

Antarctic sea-ice extent reached an absolute record low for the satellite era. Arctic sea-ice extent remained well below normal. The melting of glaciers and ice-sheets continues to lead to a surge in global mean sea levels which also reached a record high since 1993. The rate of sea level rise from 2013-2022 was in fact more than twice more than what was recorded during 1993-2002.

CALL FOR PHASING OUT FOSSIL FUELS AT COP28

Speaking at the launch of the report, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged leaders to keep the 1.5℃ goal alive at COP28, “by setting clear expectations for the next round of NDCs and committing to the partnerships and finance to make them possible. By committing to triple renewables and double energy efficiency, and committing to phase out fossil fuels, with a clear time frame aligned to the 1.5-degree limit.”

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Harjeet Singh, head of global political strategy at Climate Action Network (CAN) International said the world urgently needs a definitive roadmap at COP28 – a timeline for a fair and equitable phase-out of coal, oil and gas.

“Wealthier nations, bearing historical responsibility, must lead the way in decisively shifting from their reliance on fossil fuels. They also have a crucial role in providing financial support to developing nations, where millions of poor are being battered by escalating climate disasters,” he said.