The most recent update from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has confirmed that 2023 stands as the hottest year on record, with global temperatures surpassing the pre-industrial baseline by 1.45 degrees Celsius, with a margin of uncertainty at ±0.12 degrees Celsius. This past year also marked the warmest decade ever documented.
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The report unveils a series of alarming milestones, as various climate metrics, such as greenhouse gas levels, surface temperatures, ocean heat, acidification, sea level rise, Antarctic sea ice coverage, and glacier retreat, not only surpassed previous records but significantly exceeded them.
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The consequences of these climate shifts were profound, with heatwaves, floods, droughts, wildfires, and intensifying tropical cyclones causing widespread devastation, disrupting the lives of millions and resulting in extensive economic losses amounting to billions of dollars.The persistence of extreme weather patterns in 2023 continued to inflict severe socio-economic repercussions globally.
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Widespread extreme heat events affected numerous regions, while devastating wildfires ravaged Hawaii, Canada, and Europe, leading to loss of life, widespread property destruction, and significant air pollution.Flooding triggered by intense rainfall associated with Mediterranean Cyclone Daniel caused devastation in Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, with Libya experiencing particularly heavy loss of life.
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The aftermath of these events, including food insecurity, population displacement, and impacts on vulnerable communities, remains pressing concerns exacerbated by weather and climate hazards worldwide. Ocean heat content reached its highest level in the 65-year observational record.WMO Secretary-General Prof.
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Celeste Saulo underscored the organization's commitment to intensify collaboration with the international community to tackle the magnitude of this crisis.“WMO and its Members are expanding life-saving early warning services to achieve the ground-breaking Early Warnings For All initiative. A new Global Greenhouse Gas Watch seeks to provide scientifically-based information for climate change mitigation.
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The transition to renewable energy must be supported by tailor-made weather and climate services.”“We must make climate information more accessible and actionable to serve society. I hope this report will raise awareness of the vital need to scale up the urgency and ambition of climate action.”In order to achieve success, Prof.
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Saulo stressed the critical importance of leveraging efforts across the entire value chain, including enhancing climate data and monitoring capabilities, bolstering prediction and projection accuracy, and investing in capacity-building initiatives.
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