The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued a stern warning at the United Nations climate summit, COP28, taking place in Dubai. In a statement, the organization declared that this year is on track to become the hottest year ever recorded. Delegates from nearly 200 countries have gathered in Dubai for the summit to discuss urgent actions needed to tackle climate change.
According to the WMO, the global average temperature in 2023 is estimated to be around 1.4 degrees Celsius above the preindustrial levels, which were averaged from 1850 to 1990. This places 2023 on par with previous years’ records, making it another milestone in the alarming trend of rising temperatures. The past nine years have all surpassed previous records, including 2020 and 2016, which were regarded as the warmest years until now.
What adds to the urgency of this situation is the simultaneous increase in greenhouse gas concentrations, sea levels, and methane concentrations. These record-breaking levels of greenhouse gases are exacerbating the warming trend, causing detrimental effects on the environment and human health. Petteri Taalas, the secretary general of the WMO, described the current situation as a “deafening cacophony of broken records,” emphasizing the severity of the ongoing climate crisis.
In an unprecedented move, the WMO released a draft of its State of the Global Climate report ahead of schedule. This was done to provide accurate and up-to-date information to the delegates participating in the climate summit in Dubai. The report aims to inform ongoing discussions and accelerate global efforts to transition away from fossil fuels. This shift is imperative to mitigate the impacts of climate change and strive for a more sustainable future.
The WMO’s declaration of 2023 as potentially the hottest year ever recorded serves as a wake-up call for world leaders and citizens alike. Urgent action is needed to curb greenhouse gas emissions, invest in renewable energy sources, and implement climate adaptation strategies. The international community must come together to address this global crisis and make collective efforts to safeguard our planet for future generations.
