The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) declared on Thursday that 2023 is set to achieve global warming levels of approximately 1.4 degrees Celsius (2.5 Fahrenheit). This is above preindustrial norms, contributing to a cascade of shattered climate records.
The WMO’s preliminary State of the Global Climate report affirms that 2023 will significantly surpass the previous record-holder, 2016, by being the warmest year on record.
This heightens the urgency for world leaders to address the critical task of transitioning away from fossil fuels at the UN climate summit COP28 in Dubai starting Thursday.
WMO Secretary General Peterri Taalas stated that
“Greenhouse gas levels are record high. Global temperatures are record high. Sea level rise is record high. Antarctic sea ice record low”
The report however stated that surpassing the 1.5C warming threshold, vital for averting catastrophic climate change as per the 2015 Paris Agreement, is not imminent. As it requires sustained warming for such a crossing.
A year of 1.4C has already provided a distressing preview of the potential consequences of permanently crossing the 1.5C mark. Antarctic sea ice recorded its lowest winter maximum extent In 2023, decreasing by approximately 1 million square kilometers (386,000 sq miles) compared to the previous record.
Swiss glaciers witnessed a loss of about 10% of their remaining volume over the last two years, and wildfires consumed a record area in Canada, equivalent to around 5% of the country’s woodlands.
Driven by the combustion of fossil fuels and the emergence of the natural El Nino climate pattern in the Eastern Pacific, climate change propelled the world into record-breaking territory this year.
Scientists warn that the impacts of El Nino are likely to peak this winter, potentially resulting in even higher temperatures in 2024.
