The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recently presented its Statement on the State of the Global Climate. This document was unveiled at a high-level meeting focusing on climate and sustainable development. The comprehensive report provides a thorough assessment of the state of our planet’s weather, climate, and related aspects.
About the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
The WMO is an important intergovernmental organization comprising 192 Member States and Territories. It found its roots in the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), established post the Vienna International Meteorological Congress in 1873. However, it was only after the ratification of the WMO Convention on March 23, 1950, that WMO became a specialized agency of the United Nations for meteorology, operational hydrology, and other geophysical sciences. The WMO headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland.
WMO’s Findings
Among the key insights from the WMO’s report include climate indicators, greenhouse gas concentrations, and impacts on the sea. Here’s a closer look at these findings.
Climate Indicators of 2018
The year 2018 marked the fourth warmest year on record, with the last four years—2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018—being the hottest years on record.
Greenhouse Gas Concentrations Continue to Rise
A concerning trend highlighted in the report is the continuous increase in levels of carbon dioxide concentrations. In 1994, the CO2 levels were at 357 parts per million (PPM) but escalated to 405.5 PPM in 2017. These increasing levels are significant contributors to climate change.
Sea Level Rise
According to the report, the Global Mean Sea Level for the period from January to July 2018 has been 2 to 3mm higher than that of 2017.
Ocean Heat Content at Record High
Over 90% of energy trapped by greenhouse gases is absorbed by the oceans, causing a record high in Ocean Heat Content. This energy accumulation, especially within the upper layers of the ocean, has either been the highest or the second highest on record for each three-month period in 2018.
Ocean Acidification
In the past decade, our oceans have absorbed approximately 25% of carbon dioxide emitted by humans. This absorption alters the ocean’s pH, a process known as ocean acidification. Over the last 30 years, a clear trend of decreasing pH has been observed.
Sea Ice Well Below Average
Throughout 2018, the extent of Arctic sea ice remained below average, reaching record-low levels during the first two months of the year. Furthermore, Antarctic sea-ice extent was well below average throughout the year as well.
Glaciers are retreating
Preliminary results from the World Glacier Monitoring Service indicate that the hydrological year 2017/18 was the 31st consecutive year of negative mass balance, signifying a loss of ice from the glacial system.
Extreme Weather Events in India
The WMO pointed out the severe flooding in Kerala, India, in August 2018, which resulted in an estimated $4.3 billion in economic losses. Additionally, a cold wave across parts of India resulted in 135 deaths between January 3 and 13, 2018.
| Event | Impact |
|---|---|
| Severe Flooding in Kerala, India | Economic losses estimated at $4.3 billion |
| Cold wave in parts of India | 135 deaths between January 3 and 13, 2018 |
Climate Hazards
In 2018, natural hazards associated with extreme weather and climate events impacted nearly 62 million people. Floods affected over 35 million individuals globally, while hurricanes Florence and Michael resulted in over 100 deaths and approximately $49 billion in damages.
Food Security Concerns
The exposure of the agricultural sector to these climate extremes poses a significant threat to food security. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Food Programme, world hunger is on the rise after a prolonged period of decline.
Displacement Issues
As per reports from the International Organization for Migration, over two million people were displaced due to disasters linked to weather and climate events up to September 2018. The UNHCR’s Protection and Return Monitoring Network recorded around 883,000 new internal displacements between January and December 2018. These displacements were largely associated with flooding and drought.