According to the Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update, provided by the United Kingdom (UK) Met Office and World Meteorological Organization (WMO), there is a 40% possibility of the annual average global temperature temporarily reaching 1.5° C(2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre industrial levels in one of the next 5 years (2021-25).
- Average temperatures are likely to be at least 1° C (estimated to be between 0.9° C and 1.8° C) warmer in each of the coming five years (2021-25).
- At least one year between 2021-2025 will become the warmest year on record, replacing 2016.
- The temperature rise is significant, because as per the Paris Agreement signed in 2015, global leaders had committed to limit global warming to 1.5° C and well below 2° C by the end of the century.
Warmest Years on Record
i.2020 was one of the three warmest years on Record (1st – 2016, 2nd – 2020 & 3rd 2019), the temperature in 2020 was 1.2° C above the pre-industrial times (1850-1900 baseline.)
- The past seven years (2015-21) have been the warmest ever recorded & the last decade (2010-20) was the warmest decade.
- The report also states that the National commitments set by countries to cut Greenhouse gas emissions is not enough to fulfill the Paris agreement.
Impacts of Global Temperature Rise
i.The temperature rise highlights the importance of cutting Greenhouse Gas Emissions and achieving carbon neutrality.
ii.Global warming is resulting in phenomena like rising sea levels, melting sea ice, and extreme weather events.
- Increasing temperatures will have a great impact on food security, health, environment and sustainable development.
- They will also bring more tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean & more rain in high latitudes and the Sahel region of Central Africa.
Recent Related News:
April 20, 2021, The ‘State of the Global Climate 2020’ released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), stated that 2020 was one of the Three Warmest Years on Record (1st – 2016, 2nd – 2020 & 3rd 2019).
About World Meteorological Organization (WMO):
President – Gerhard Adrian
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
Members – 193 (187 Countries, 6 Member Territories)
