The global temperature has been increasing, with the past eleven months experiencing the hottest temperatures ever recorded. The cause of this increase in temperature is uncertain, with potential factors including the reduction of pollution reflecting sunlight, unknown feedback mechanisms, and the release of heat from the oceans. The exact cause is still unknown, highlighting the depth of our ignorance and the danger of the situation.
– Every major global climate record was broken last year, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
– The WMO’s annual State of the Global Climate report indicated that average temperatures reached 1.45 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the highest in 174 years of record-keeping.
– Ocean temperatures were the warmest in 65 years of data, with over 90% of the seas experiencing heatwave conditions during the year.
– WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo highlighted the unprecedented ocean warmth, glacier retreat, and Antarctic sea ice loss as particularly concerning.
– Ocean heat is considered “almost irreversible,” potentially taking millennia to reverse.
– Climate change and the El Nino climate pattern were significant factors in pushing the world into record territory in 2023.
– There is a high probability that 2024 will set new heat records, particularly because the year after an El Nino is typically warmer.
– Antarctic sea ice levels saw a significant decrease, with the peak level measured at 1 million km2 below the previous record.
– The rate of sea-level rise has more than doubled over the past decade compared to the 1993-2002 period.
– Ocean heat was concentrated in the North Atlantic, with temperatures averaging 3 degrees Celsius above average in late 2023.
– Warmer ocean temperatures have affected marine ecosystems and caused many fish species to migrate north seeking cooler temperatures.
– Celeste Saulo emphasized the importance of scaling up the urgency and ambition of climate action to mitigate the impacts of climate change.