Climate Change Report of WMO Released: Know all the details

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has confirmed that 2023 was the hottest year on record by a clear margin, with records broken for ocean heat, sea level rise, Antarctic sea ice loss, and glacier retreat. The report highlights the devastating impact of climate change, including extreme weather events that caused misery and economic losses. on March 19, 2024 WMO released his report on climate change of the past year 2023.

Key Highlights of the WMO Report

Record-Breaking Temperatures:

• Global average near-surface temperature reached 1.45°C (±0.12°C) above pre-industrial levels.
• It was the warmest ten-year period on record.

Impact on Food Security:

• The number of people acutely food insecure worldwide has more than doubled since before the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching 333 million in 2023.
• Weather and climate extremes are aggravating factors, undermining resilience and creating protection risks for vulnerable populations.

Renewable Energy Surge:

• Renewable energy generation surged in 2023, driven by solar, wind, and water cycle dynamics.
• Renewable capacity additions increased by almost 50% from 2022, reaching a record 510 gigawatts (GW).

Greenhouse Gas Concentrations:

• Observed concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide reached record levels in 2022 and continued to rise in 2023.
• CO2 levels are 50% higher than the pre-industrial era, trapping heat in the atmosphere.

Temperature Records:

• Global mean near-surface temperature in 2023 was 1.45°C above the pre-industrial 1850-1900 average.
• The shift from La Niña to El Niño conditions in mid-2023 contributed to the rapid temperature rise from 2022.

Ocean Warming and Sea Level Rise:

• Global average sea-surface temperatures were at record highs from April onwards, with records in July, August, and September broken by a wide margin.
• Global mean sea level reached a record high in 2023, reflecting continued ocean warming and melting of glaciers and ice sheets.
• The rate of sea level rise in the past ten years (2014-2023) is more than twice the rate of the first decade of satellite records (1993–2002).

Ice Sheet and Glacier Loss:

• Ice sheets experienced the largest loss of ice on record (1950-2023), driven by extremely negative mass balance in western North America and Europe.
• The Greenland Ice Sheet continued to lose mass, with the warmest summer on record at the Summit station.

Conclusion:

The WMO report paints a dire picture of the impact of climate change, with record-breaking temperatures, sea levels, and ice loss, exacerbating food insecurity and extreme weather events. However, the surge in renewable energy generation provides a glimmer of hope in achieving decarbonization targets.