The first few months of 2016 are on track to continue the trend of ever-rising global temperatures, according to the Work Meteorological Organization. In observance of World Meteorological Day on Wednesday, the group releases the WMO Statement on the Status of the Climate in 2015, offering details of climate change-related land and sea surface temperatures, ocean warming and sea level rise, shrinking sea ice extent, and extreme weather events around the world.
“Today the Earth is already 1°C hotter than at the start of the twentieth century. We are halfway to the critical 2°C threshold. National climate change plans adopted so far may not be enough to avoid a temperature rise of 3°C, but we can avert the worst-case scenarios with urgent and far-reaching measures to cut carbon dioxide emissions,” WMO Secretary General Petteri Taalas said in a press release.
Among the effects of climate change, the report notes intense heatwaves, heavy rainfall, drought, and unusual cyclone events. “Our planet is sending a powerful message to world leaders to sign and implement the Paris Agreement on climate change and cut greenhouse gases now before we pass the point of no return,” Taalas said.
