2023 Confirmed to Be Hottest Year on Record, Raising Concerns at COP28 Climate Summit
Dubai – As delegates from over 150 countries gather in Dubai for COP28, the United Nations’ annual climate summit, scientists have confirmed that 2023 is set to be the hottest year on record. Global temperatures are expected to soar more than 1.4 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, surpassing the 1.5-degree threshold established in the Paris climate agreement.
The continuous breaking of temperature records has been a cause for alarm. Since June, every month has experienced unprecedented warmth, with November alone being approximately 1.75 degrees warmer than pre-industrial levels. Such a trend raises concerns for both human populations and ecosystems, as they struggle to adapt to the rapidly changing climate.
Scientists attribute the exceptional warmth in 2023 to the combined effects of El Niño and human-caused climate change. Deadly heat waves, record-breaking temperatures, and unprecedented ocean heat have been witnessed around the world, leaving devastating impacts in their wake.
The Northern Hemisphere experienced its warmest fall season globally on record, and November was wetter than average across most of Europe. The heavy rain, floods, and storms resulting from this have served as a stark reminder of the increasing extreme weather events caused by climate change.
Experts are calling on wealthy and high-emitting countries to assume responsibility and initiate phasing out fossil fuels. This action is seen as crucial in mitigating the escalating impacts of climate change and limiting the occurrence of extreme weather events.
The long-term projections for global warming are also causes for concern. Scientists fear that the world will surpass the 1.5-degree threshold on a more permanent basis in the coming years, exacerbating the adverse effects on the planet.
A separate report released by the World Meteorological Organization reveals that the decade between 2011 and 2020 was the hottest on record. This period witnessed dramatic glacier loss and a significant rise in sea levels, posing additional challenges for vulnerable coastal communities.
The report warns that as long as greenhouse gas concentrations continue to increase, the temperature will continue to rise. Consequently, the impacts of heatwaves and droughts are also expected to intensify, posing even greater risks to human societies and ecosystems.
As COP28 unfolds in Dubai, the urgency to address climate change and its consequences is at the forefront. Discussions and negotiations over measures to decrease carbon emissions and transition to greener energy sources are expected to take center stage. The stakes are high, as the world grapples with the increasing challenge of a warming planet.
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