19-3-2024 (GENEVA) The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) issued a dire warning on Tuesday, revealing that every major global climate record was shattered in 2023, and expressed concerns that 2024 could bring even more alarming developments, particularly regarding ocean heat and diminishing sea ice.
According to the United Nations (UN) weather agency’s annual State of the Global Climate report, average temperatures soared to their highest levels in 174 years of record-keeping, surpassing pre-industrial levels by a significant margin of 1.45 degrees Celsius.
In addition, ocean temperatures soared to their warmest in 65 years of recorded data, with more than 90% of the world’s seas experiencing heatwave conditions throughout the year. This phenomenon has had detrimental effects on food systems, exacerbating global concerns.
Celeste Saulo, the Secretary-General of WMO, who assumed office in January, sounded the alarm, describing the situation as a “Red Alert to the world.” She highlighted the unprecedented ocean warmth, glacier retreat, and loss of Antarctic sea ice as particularly worrying developments.
Speaking to reporters, Saulo emphasized the gravity of ocean heat, noting that its effects could be almost irreversible and could persist for millennia due to water’s ability to retain heat for extended periods.
Attributing these alarming trends to climate change, driven primarily by fossil fuel consumption, coupled with the emergence of the natural El Nino climate pattern, Omar Baddour, WMO’s head of climate monitoring, warned of a high probability of setting new heat records in 2024. He explained that the year following an El Nino event typically experiences even warmer temperatures.
The report highlighted a significant decline in Antarctic sea ice, with measurements indicating a peak level one million square kilometers below the previous record. This trend, coupled with ocean warming and subsequent expansion, has led to a doubling of the rate of sea-level rise over the past decade compared to the previous period.
Notably, warmer ocean temperatures in the North Atlantic have disrupted delicate marine ecosystems, forcing many fish species to migrate northwards in search of cooler waters.
Saulo stressed the urgent need to scale up climate action, emphasising the vital importance of addressing the increasingly frequent and extreme climate events. She warned that failure to act would lead to further exacerbation of the situation, ultimately resulting in increased suffering for communities worldwide.
