November 24th, 2024
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has released its State of the Global Climate 2023 report, revealing that the year shattered numerous climate change records, marking it as the warmest year on record by a significant margin. Key indicators such as greenhouse gas levels, surface temperatures, ocean heat, and sea level rise reached unprecedented levels, highlighting the urgent need for global climate action.
The big picture: The report underscores the dire state of the climate, with 2023 setting a new benchmark for the hottest year, alongside records for ocean heat, sea level rise, Antarctic sea ice loss, and glacier retreat. This alarming trend is not only a reflection of the climate crisis but also poses significant challenges to socio-economic development worldwide.
Zoom in: The WMO's findings detail how extreme weather events, including heatwaves, floods, droughts, wildfires, and tropical cyclones, inflicted substantial economic losses and disrupted the lives of millions. The global mean near-surface temperature in 2023 was 1.45°C above the pre-industrial baseline, making it the warmest ten-year period on record.
What's happening: Ocean heatwaves affected nearly one-third of the global ocean on an average day in 2023, with over 90% experiencing heatwave conditions at some point during the year. The report also highlighted the largest loss of ice from the global set of reference glaciers since records began in 1950, and Antarctic sea ice extent reaching its lowest level on record.
Why it matters: The unprecedented changes in climate indicators underscore the critical importance of addressing climate change as a defining challenge for humanity. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasised the intertwined nature of the climate and inequality crises, noting the exacerbation of food insecurity, population displacement, and biodiversity loss.
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— World Meteorological Organization (@WMO) March 19, 2024
Driving the news: Renewable energy generation presents a beacon of hope, with capacity additions in 2023 increasing by almost 50% from the previous year. This surge in renewable energy, primarily from solar, wind, and water sources, signifies a pivotal shift towards achieving decarbonisation targets and mitigating climate change impacts.
What's next: The Copenhagen Climate Ministerial, scheduled for 21-22 March, will gather global climate leaders and ministers to accelerate climate action and enhance Nationally Determined Contributions ahead of the 2025 deadline. The meeting aims to deliver an ambitious agreement on financing at COP29, turning national plans into actionable strategies.
The bottom line: The State of the Global Climate 2023 report is a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive and immediate climate action. With the cost of climate inaction far exceeding that of action, the time for global cooperation and decisive measures is now.