The past seven years have been the hottest on record – and the rate at which sea levels are rising is accelerating, UN experts warn.
The World Meteorological Organisation, WMO, stated that 2021 would be the fifth-, sixth-, or seventh hottest year according to records dating back to 1850.
The scientists stated that the global average temperature was 1.01C above preindustrial levels between 2002 and 2021. However, 2021 has been 1.09C higher.
The WMO’s State of the Climate Report stated that sea level has risen from an average of 2 mm per year between 1993 and 2000 to 4.4 mm between 2013-2021. This is mainly due to faster melting of glaciers and ice sheet ice.
People enjoy the hot weather on Brighton beach on July 18, the warmest day of the year with temperatures soaring above 31C across England and Wales
Secretary General Petteri Taalas stated that extreme events are ‘the new normal’ and there is mounting evidence of human-induced climate changes.
He said that temperatures would exceed the Paris goals by 2025 if greenhouse gas concentrations continue to rise at the rate they are.
“Cop26 is a make or break opportunity to get us back on track.”
Sir Patrick Vallance, chief scientist in the UK, joined calls for action and warned that leaders must make changes to limit warming to 1.5C at Cop26. This will ensure that all people are safe and protect the planet.
He said that the report “hammers home the message climate change is real. The seas rise, glaciers melt, floods, and wildfires are becoming more frequent.
“Across the globe, these changes are already impacting our transport, healthcare, and food systems.”
Antonio Guterres, UN secretary general, called for the Cop26 negotiations, where leaders are under pressure not to exceed the 1.5C temperature limit and take more action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is a ‘turning-point for peoples and planet’.
He warned that natural systems and communities around the globe were being destroyed, and urged leaders to take action.
“The door is wide open, the solutions are within reach. Cop26 must mark a turning point. He said that we must act now, with ambition and solidarity, to save our future and save the humanity.
Professor Stephen Belcher, chief scientist at the Met Office, stated that the global temperature in 2021 would be higher than average despite the short-term natural cooling associated with La Nina.
“This year’s provisional temperature figure shows that the temperature trend continues upward.
Cop26 delegates will be focused by the fact that the 20 year average temperature has exceeded 1.0C above preindustrial levels. They are aiming to keep global temperature rising to within the limits of Paris six years back, he stated.