The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has recently released a report that highlights the record-breaking climate change and its disruptive impact on human society. The report, titled “State of the Global Climate 2020,” reveals that the year 2020 was one of the three warmest years on record, despite the cooling effect of La Niña.
The report states that the global average temperature in 2020 was about 1.2°C above the pre-industrial level. This is dangerously close to the 1.5°C limit set by the Paris Agreement to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. The report also highlights that the past six years have been the warmest on record, with each decade since the 1980s being warmer than the previous one.
The impact of this warming is already being felt across the globe. The report highlights that extreme weather events such as heatwaves, wildfires, and hurricanes have become more frequent and intense. In 2020, there were a record-breaking 30 named storms in the Atlantic, with 12 making landfall in the United States. The report also notes that the Arctic sea ice reached its second-lowest extent on record in September 2020.
These extreme weather events have had a significant impact on human society. The report states that over 50 million people were affected by floods in Asia in 2020, while wildfires in Australia destroyed over 18 million hectares of land. The COVID-19 pandemic has also been exacerbated by climate change, with extreme weather events disrupting supply chains and exacerbating food insecurity.
The report highlights that urgent action is needed to address climate change and its impacts. The WMO Secretary-General, Professor Petteri Taalas, stated that “we need to put a brake on harmful greenhouse gas emissions if we are to have any hope of avoiding catastrophic climate change.” He also emphasized the need for adaptation measures to help communities cope with the impacts of climate change.
The report also highlights the role of human activities in driving climate change. The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and agriculture are all major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. The report notes that emissions fell temporarily in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but warns that this is not a sustainable solution.
In conclusion, the WMO report highlights the urgent need for action to address climate change and its disruptive impact on human society. The record-breaking temperatures and extreme weather events of 2020 are a stark reminder of the need for urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. It is time for governments, businesses, and individuals to take responsibility and work together to create a sustainable future for all.
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