It is clear that more needs to be done to cut greenhouse gas emissions during the events of 2022, while advocating for increased adaptation to climate change, the United Nations weather agency said. including universal access to early warnings.
“This year we have faced a number of severe weather disasters that have claimed too many lives and livelihoods, and undermined health, food, energy and water security as well as like infrastructure,” he said. WMO Chief Petteri Taalas.
On the warmest road
Although global temperature figures for 2022 will be released in mid-January, the past eight years are on track to become the eight hottest years on record, according to WMO.
Although the prolonged cooling La Niña event, now in its third year, means that 2022 will not be the hottest year on record, its cooling effects will be short-lived and does not reverse the long-term warming trend caused by record heat. Greenhouse gases trap heat in our atmosphere.
In addition, this will be the 10th year in a row that temperatures have increased by at least 1°C above pre-industrial levels – potentially violating the 1.5°C limit of the Paris Agreement.
early warning
Early warning, increased investment in basic global observation, and building resilience to extreme weather and climate will be among WMO priorities in 2023 – the year the WMO community 150th anniversary of establishment.
“There is a need to strengthen preparedness for such extreme events and to ensure that we meet the requirements United Nations early warning target for all in the next 5 years”, said the top WMO official.
WMO will also promote a new method for monitoring carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide sinks and sources using the Global Atmosphere Monitoring Model, satellite and terrestrial assimilation models, for allowing for a better understanding of how major greenhouse gases behave in the atmosphere.
Climate indicators
Greenhouse gases are just one climate indicator used to observe levels.
Sea level has doubled since 1993; ocean heat content; and acidification is also at a record high.
The past two and a half years alone have accounted for 10% of total sea level rise since satellite measurements began nearly 30 years ago, WMO’s Interim Report on the State of the Global Climate 2022.
And 2022 has caused particularly heavy damage to the glaciers in the European Alps, with early signs of record melting.
The Greenland ice sheet has lost mass for the 26th year in a row, and it rained – not snow – on top for the first time in September.
A boy stands in front of a waterhole in a drought-stricken area in Bangladesh.
national heat charge
Although 2022 did not break global temperature records, it topped many national temperature records worldwide.
India and Pakistan experienced a spike in heat in March and April. China had the longest and widest heat wave since national records began and had its second-dryest summer on record.
And parts of the northern hemisphere are particularly hot and dry.
A large area centered around the north-central region of Argentina, as well as in southern Bolivia, central Chile and most of Paraguay and Uruguay, experienced record temperatures in two consecutive heatwaves at the end of the month. 11 and early December 2022.
The head of WMO added: “Record heat waves have been observed in China, Europe, North and South America.” “A prolonged drought in the Horn of Africa threatens a humanitarian catastrophe
And while much of Europe smothered in repeated extreme heat waves, the UK hit a new national record in July, when temperatures topped 40°C for the first time.
Record rain
In East Africa, below-average rainfall for four consecutive rainy seasons – the longest in 40 years – caused a major humanitarian crisis affecting millions, devastating agriculture and killing livestock, especially livestock. especially in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia.
Record heavy rains in July and August led to widespread flooding in Pakistan, killing at least 1,700 people, forcing 7.9 million people to evacuate and 33 million people affected.
“One third of the area of Pakistan was flooded, causing great economic losses and human casualties,” Taalas said.
