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WMO Statement on the State of the Global Climate in 2019

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WMO Statement on the State of the Global Climate in 2019

Multi-agency report highlights increasing signs and impacts of climate change in atmosphere, land and oceans

WMO,

15 min read
8 take-aways
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What's inside?

A 2019 WMO report details the impacts of climate change – humanity’s ultimate existential challenge.

Editorial Rating

9

Qualities

  • Analytical
  • Scientific
  • Applicable

Recommendation

Current “Global Climate Indicators” such as greenhouse gases, ocean and land temperatures, sea levels, ocean acidification, and ice cover point to an indisputable increase in global warming. This detailed WMO report describes the alarming state of climate change in 2019, including a shrinking ozone layer, heating oceans, sea level rise, severe storms, wildfires and drought. People on every continent feel the impacts, which include health issues, dislocations, ecosystem destruction and economic upheaval.

Summary

2019 saw a global mean temperature 1.1˚C higher than pre-industrial averages.

The last five years were the warmest on record. The last decade was the warmest in recorded history. This trend dates back to the 1980s. 

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Special Report: Global Warming of 1.5˚C concluded that human-induced factors represent the most significant causes of increased warming, especially affecting the Arctic, Alaska, Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, Brazil and Australia.

Atmospheric greenhouse gases increased significantly in 2019.

In 2018, increases of methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide ranged from 123% to 259% over pre-industrial levels. Preliminary 2019 data indicate additional increases. Calculations are made by the WMO’s Global Atmosphere Watch Programme, using 1750 as a baseline year. Overall levels reflect the balance between emissions and uptake by Earth’s oceans and biosphere. Fossil fuel burning and land use changes such as deforestation and fires drive the amount of gases entering the atmosphere...

About the Author

The report’s contributors include WMO members, Data Centers, United Nations Agencies and a variety of individuals from scientific organizations and universities around the world.

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