The rate of climate change surged alarmingly between 2011-2020, which was the warmest decade on record. Continued rising concentrations of greenhouse gases fuelled record land and ocean temperatures and turbo-charged a dramatic acceleration in ice melt and sea level rise, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Revealing alarming trends, the report — The Global Climate 2011-2020: A Decade of Acceleration— underscores the urgent need for intensified global efforts to combat the accelerating impacts of climate change.
UNPRECEDENTED WARMING TRENDS
The report declares the decade from 2011 to 2020 as the warmest on record, with both land and ocean temperatures surging. Record concentrations of greenhouse gases propelled this acceleration, resulting in significant consequences such as ice melt, rising sea levels, and transformative shifts in Polar Regions and high mountains.
“We have to cut greenhouse gas emissions as a top and overriding priority for the planet in order to prevent climate change spiralling out of control; Petteri Taalas.
POLAR REGIONS AND GLACIAL LOSS
A particularly concerning revelation is the unprecedented thinning of glaciers, averaging 1 meter per year, and the Antarctic continental ice sheet losing nearly 75% more ice than the previous decade. This loss poses imminent threats to water supplies for millions and raises fears of intensified sea level rise, jeopardizing low-lying coastal regions and states.
HOPE AMIDST OZONE SUCCESS
Despite the gloom, the report highlights a glimmer of hope – the Antarctic ozone hole shrank during the same period, attributing the positive change to international actions taken under the Montreal Protocol. This success underscores the effectiveness of global collaboration in mitigating environmental threats.
Numerous studies show that, in particular, the risk of intense heat has significantly increased in the past decade; Taalas
HUMAN ACTIVITIES DRIVE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
WMO Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas unequivocally attributes the climate acceleration to human activities, emphasizing the urgent need to curtail greenhouse gas emissions. The report advocates cutting emissions as a top priority to prevent climate change from spiralling out of control.
The report paints a picture of a world experiencing more extreme weather events, from droughts and heat waves to floods and wildfires. Prof. Taalas notes the significant rise in the risk of intense heat, impacting socio-economic development, food security, and displacements.
MIXED PROGRESS IN CLIMATE FINANCE
While public and private climate finance nearly doubled between 2011 and 2020, the report calls for a sevenfold increase by the end of this decade to achieve climate objectives. Economic losses have risen, but casualties have decreased, reflecting improvements in early warning systems and disaster response.
CALL FOR AMBITIOUS CLIMATE ACTION
Released at COP28, the report emphasizes the need for ambitious climate action to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above the pre-industrial era. It serves as a critical call to action for the international community to prioritize climate initiatives and implement strategies to combat the escalating climate crisis.