UN's World Meteorological Organization Issues Red Alert on Climate Change
| Summary/Static | Details |
|---|---|
| Why in the news? | Global average temperature from Jan-Sep 2024 was 1.54°C above pre-industrial levels, likely surpassing 2023's record heat. |
| 1.5°C Threshold Temporarily Exceeded | Temperatures above 1.5°C mark, but WMO emphasizes it does not mean the Paris Agreement goal is permanently breached. |
| Warmest Decade on Record | The last 10 years are the hottest in recorded history, showing an ongoing warming trend. |
| Extreme Weather Events Increasing | More frequent and severe rainfall, flooding, tropical cyclones, heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires worldwide. |
| Ocean Heat and Sea-Level Rise | Record ocean heat levels in 2023, with 2024 on par. Sea levels rising at 4.77 mm per year from 2014-2023, doubling previous rates. |
| Greenhouse Gas Emissions | CO2 levels reached 420 ppm in 2023, a 51% increase from pre-industrial levels of 278 ppm. |
| Glacier Loss Intensifies | Record glacier melt in 2023, particularly in North America and Europe. |
| World Meteorological Organization (WMO) | |
| Mission | Provides authoritative information on Earth's atmosphere, climate, oceans, and water resources. |
| Established | Founded in 1950 as a UN agency. |
| Headquarters | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Membership | 191 countries. |