The United Nations World Meteorological Association (WMO) stated on Wednesday that 2015 will be the hottest year on record, however, 2016 could be even hotter. Scientists suggest that man-made global warming, El Niño weather pattern, droughts and high temperatures are the main causes of the in crescendo phenomenon. World leaders will meet in Paris on Monday to discuss the events surrounding climate change in order to take actions.
U.N. statements are also recognized by several scientists at the U.S. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, temperatures are likely to reach 1 degree Celsius above temperatures of pre-industrial times from 1880 to 1899. They also report that 2015 would be the hottest year on record.
As stated by the WMO, El Niño is probably responsible for 16 to 20 percent of the rising temperatures. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from the United States Department of Commerce, the phenomenon is a phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation cycle, which describes fluctuations in temperatures between the ocean and atmosphere in the east-central Equatorial Pacific. El Niño is characterized by unusually warm temperatures. Episodes usually last nine to 12 months, but some may last longer.
That being said, temperatures are getting higher despite El Niño. Eight of the 10 warmest years have occurred since 2005. Areas such Australia, the continental United States, Europe, South America and Russia have broken usual temperature records. Also, global ocean temperatures have been increasing within the last decade.
Hopefully, world leaders will meet on Monday in Paris to discuss the next steps to control global temperature increasements. The objective, proposed in 2010, was to maintain temperatures increases within 2 degrees Celsius (or 3.6 Fahrenheit) beyond pre-industrial times in order to prevent damaging climate changes.
WMO director general Michel Jarraud said the more we waited for action, the more difficult it would be to make changes. He addressed this were all bad news for the planet.
“You have scenarios assuming very strong decisions, very quick and sharp reduction of greenhouse gases, and you have other scenarios with business as usual, where you end up with predictions of additional warming of 5, 6 degrees, maybe even more. That will very much depend on the decisions (in Paris),” Jarraud said.
The director also pointed out there was no silver bullet to stop climate change. Even when important deals could be done in Paris on Monday, citizens also need to take actions. Public transport must be chosen over cars, industries must also face down gas emissions from power stations, transport, cement, farming and fertilisers.
It would appear that El Niño will last up until 2016. Also, heat-trapping greenhouse gases will continue to rise over the year in consequence of gas, oil and coal burning. That being said, 2016 annual temperature is likely to be more strongly influenced by the current factors, WMO said.
Source: Reuters