The latest Global Climate Status Report from the World Meteorological Organization has prompted UN Secretary-General António Guterres to declare a climate emergency. He emphasized that the planet’s energy imbalance is at its highest recorded level, with Earth trapping heat faster than it can release it, affecting food prices, extreme weather, and communities globally.
The report highlights unprecedented greenhouse gas concentrations, noting this past year was the 11th consecutive hottest on record. Activities like burning fossil fuels and industrial processes are exacerbating the imbalance, leading to high levels of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. These changes are driving significant temperature variations, with about 90-93% of trapped energy heating oceans.
WMO officials stressed the importance of understanding Earth’s energy imbalances, with new measures offering a comprehensive view of climate impacts. Guterres warned that reliance on fossil fuels destabilizes both climate and security, urging a swift transition to renewable energy to ensure climate and national security. He described the urgency of action as critical, stating that “climate disruption is accelerating” and delay is deadly.
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