UN warns of record heat in 2014-2023 decade

The U.N. announced that the decade from 2014 to 2023 was the hottest on record, confirming alarming global warming trends

The United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed that 2023 has set new global heat records.

The annual State of the Climate report highlighted a concerning trend of rising temperatures, with the average near-surface temperature reaching 1.45 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. 

This alarming rise brings the world dangerously close to the critical 1.5-degree threshold in the Paris Climate Accords. 

U.N. Chief Antonio Guterres described the report as a distress call from Earth, emphasizing the urgent need to address fossil fuel pollution, which is driving climate chaos. 

The WMO report warned of unprecedented ocean warmth, glacier retreat and Antarctic sea ice loss, which pose significant threats to marine ecosystems and coral reefs. 

Marine heatwaves affected nearly a third of the global ocean, with over 90% experiencing heatwave conditions at some point in the year. 

Glaciers worldwide saw record ice loss, while Antarctic sea ice extent reached its lowest level on record.

Rising sea levels, driven by ocean warming and melting ice, reached their highest point since satellite records began. 

The climate crisis exacerbated extreme weather events, such as flooding and drought, leading to displacement, biodiversity loss and food insecurity. 

Despite these challenges, the report highlighted a surge in renewable energy generation, offering a glimmer of hope for combating climate change. 

Guterres emphasized the importance of limiting long-term temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees Celsius to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change.

Source: Newsroom

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