Climate records smashed in 2023
NEWS IN SHORT
A new report from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) shows that records were once again broken, and in some cases smashed, for greenhouse gas levels, surface temperatures, ocean heat and acidification and sea level rise.
According to the State of the Global Climate 2023 report, heatwaves, floods, droughts, wildfires and rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones caused misery and mayhem, upending everyday life for millions and inflicting billions of dollars in economic losses.
The report confirmed that 2023 was the warmest year on record, with the global average near-surface temperature at 1.45 °Celsius above the pre-industrial baseline. It was the warmest ten-year period on record.
“Sirens are blaring across all major indicators. Some records are not just chart-topping, they are chart-busting. And changes are speeding up,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
On an average day in 2023, nearly one-third of global oceans were gripped by a marine heatwave, harming vital ecosystems and food systems.
By the end of 2023, over 90% of oceans had experienced heatwave conditions at some point during the year.
- ELLANIE SMIT
According to the State of the Global Climate 2023 report, heatwaves, floods, droughts, wildfires and rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones caused misery and mayhem, upending everyday life for millions and inflicting billions of dollars in economic losses.
The report confirmed that 2023 was the warmest year on record, with the global average near-surface temperature at 1.45 °Celsius above the pre-industrial baseline. It was the warmest ten-year period on record.
“Sirens are blaring across all major indicators. Some records are not just chart-topping, they are chart-busting. And changes are speeding up,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
On an average day in 2023, nearly one-third of global oceans were gripped by a marine heatwave, harming vital ecosystems and food systems.
By the end of 2023, over 90% of oceans had experienced heatwave conditions at some point during the year.
- ELLANIE SMIT
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