The year 2023 was marked as the hottest year in history, and it was also part of the hottest decade on Earth according to a recent report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The UN organization released its annual climate report, which revealed alarming trends in global temperatures and environmental changes.
The Earth’s glaciers melted at an unprecedented rate last year, adding to the urgency of the situation. This trend was highlighted by UN Secretary General António Guterres, who described it as an “emergency message” being sent by the planet due to pollution caused by fossil fuels. The report pointed out that the planet is on the verge of an environmental crisis, with the average surface temperature last year being 1.45 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
The head of the WMO, Andrea Celeste Saulo, described the report as a “red alert” for the world. Climate change involves more than just rising temperatures, and this report highlighted concerns about unprecedented ocean warming, retreating glaciers, and declining Antarctic sea ice. Over 90% of the world’s oceans experienced heat waves in 2023, leading to detrimental effects on marine life.
In countries like Switzerland, where the WMO is based, alpine glaciers have lost a significant portion of their volume in recent years. The extent of Antarctic sea ice is also at its lowest level ever recorded. The combined effects of warming seas and melting glaciers have caused sea levels to rise to their highest levels since satellite measurements began in 1993. In fact, according to WMO data, sea level rise has more than doubled in the past decade compared to the previous decade.
These alarming trends require urgent action from governments and individuals worldwide to mitigate their impacts and prevent further damage to our planet. As a journalist covering these issues closely, I urge policymakers and leaders around the world to take immediate action against climate change before it’s too late for us all.
