The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has released its latest report, “Provisional State of the Global Climate in 2023,” declaring that 2023 is on track to be the warmest year on record. The report paints a grim picture of the current climate situation, citing extreme weather events and rising temperatures that have shattered previous records.The data until the end of October indicates that 2023 was approximately 1.40 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial baseline of 1850-1900. This revelation positions 2023 as set to surpass the temperatures recorded in 2016 and 2020, making it the hottest year in the 174-year observational record.
In 2022, concentrations of primary greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, reached their highest levels based on globally consolidated data. Real-time measurements throughout 2023 continue to show an upward trend in these gases, indicating a concerning trajectory for the Earth’s climate.
The WMO’s statement accompanies the report, noting that 2023 has been marked by extreme weather events, leaving behind a trail of devastation and despair. Rising temperatures have exacerbated challenges related to food security, population displacements, and impacts on vulnerable populations.
The report underscores that the past nine years, from 2015 to 2023, have consistently ranked as the warmest on record. The emergence of a warming El Niño event in 2023 is expected to contribute to further temperature increases in 2024.
In 2022, ocean heat content reached a record peak, marking the highest level in the 65-year observational record. This warming trend is anticipated to persist, indicating an irreversible shift over centuries to millennia. Furthermore, global sea levels in 2023 reached a record high since satellite tracking began in 1993, reflecting ongoing ocean warming and accelerated melting of ice sheets and glaciers.
WMO Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas emphasized the alarming scenario, stating, “Greenhouse gas levels are record high. Global temperatures are record-high. Sea level rise is record high. Antarctic sea ice is record low. It’s a deafening cacophony of broken records.”
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