Context: Recently, the World Meteorological Organization released a provisional ‘State of the Global Climate report’ on the sidelines of the COP-28 meet in Dubai.

State of the Global Climate Report 2023

• The report combines input from National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, regional climate centres, UN partners and leading climate scientists. 

What are the key findings of the State of the Global Climate Report 2023?

• The global mean near-surface temperature in 2023 (to October) was around 1.40 ± 0.12 °C above the 1850–1900 average. 
• The past nine years, 2015-2023, will be the nine warmest years on record. 
• Ocean and Land Temperature Records: Record monthly global temperatures have been observed for the ocean — from April through to September — and, starting slightly later, the land — from July through to September. 
• Greenhouse Gas Concentrations Soar: Observed concentrations of the three main greenhouse gases — carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide — reached record high levels in 2022.
• Ocean Heat Content Peaks in 2022: Ocean heat content reached its highest level in 2022, the latest available full year of data in the 65-year observational record. 
• Antarctic Sea Ice Hits All-Time Low: Antarctic sea-ice extent reached an absolute record low for the satellite era (1979 to present) in February.
  •  Ice extent was at a record low from June onwards, and the annual maximum in September was far below the previous record low maximum. 
• Glacial Melt Crisis: Glaciers in western North America and the European Alps experienced an extreme melt season. 
  • In Switzerland, glaciers lost around 10% of their remaining volume in the past two years. 
• Climate-Induced Displacement: Extreme weather and climate conditions continued to trigger new, prolonged, and secondary displacement in 2023
• Food Security Concerns in 2023:Food security, population displacements and impacts on vulnerable populations continue to be of concern in 2023, with weather and climate hazards exacerbating the situation in many parts of the world.
• Extreme Weather’s Socio-Economic Toll: Extreme weather continues to lead to severe socio-economic impacts. 
  • Wildfires in Hawaii, Canada and Europe led to loss of life, the destruction of homes and large-scale air pollution. 

News Source: Economic Times