The Earth endured the hottest year on record in 2023, but records for six other climate change indicators were also broken, according to a United Nations report released on Tuesday.
of 2023 Global Climate Status Report The report, published by the World Meteorological Organization, the United Nations’ climate agency, confirms what has already been widely reported.
However, the WMO announced that 2023 will also be the warmest period on record in 10 years on Earth.
The average near-surface temperature around the world in 2023 was 1.45 degrees Celsius (2.61 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial norms, according to the report.
“We have never been this close to reaching the Paris Climate Agreement’s lower limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit), albeit temporarily at this time,” WMO Secretary-General Celeste Sauro said in a statement. report.
“The WMO community is sounding an emergency alert to the world.”
In a tweet about the report, WMO used a spiral graph to show how global temperatures have risen since the 19th century.
“2023 gives new meaning to the term ‘off the charts,'” the scientists wrote in a tweet.
“Change is accelerating”
Global temperatures won’t be the only record broken in 2023.
According to the report, greenhouse gases, ocean heat and sea level rise all hit record highs last year.
Antarctic sea ice extent also reached record lows, while Arctic sea ice remained well below normal.
Greenland’s ice sheet continued to lose mass after the world’s largest island experienced its hottest summer on record.
A series of reference glaciers around the world also experienced the largest ice loss on record.
“Sirens are sounding across all major indicators… Some records will not only top the charts, but others will destroy them. And change is accelerating,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. said in a statement on the report.
Renewable energy also sets records
Scientists say renewable energy generation from solar, wind and hydropower will set another record in 2023, with capacity additions increasing by 50% from 2022 to a total of 510 gigawatts.
Scientists said renewable energy is a focus of efforts to combat climate change because of its potential to meet targets aimed at reducing the amount of greenhouse gases.
Countries have set a goal to triple global renewable energy capacity to 11,000 gigawatts by 2030.
