The physical signs and socio-economic impacts of climate change are accelerating as record greenhouse gas concentrations drive global temperatures towards increasingly dangerous levels. This is as per the World Meteorological Organization, WMO’s statement on State of the Global Climate. The statement highlights record sea level rise and exceptionally high land and ocean temperatures over the past four years.
The key climate change indicators are becoming more pronounced. Carbon dioxide levels, which were at 357.0 parts per million kept rising – to 405.5 parts per million in 2017. For 2018 and 2019, greenhouse gas concentrations are expected to increase further. Above average sea surface temperatures, partly because of a weak strength El Niño in the Pacific, is expected to lead to above-normal land temperature, particularly in tropical latitudes.
The start of this year has also seen warm record daily winter temperatures in Europe, unusual cold in North America and searing heatwaves in Australia. Arctic and Antarctic ice extent is well below average yet again.