No Hiatus in Global Warming – UN
No reverse in the Earth's global warming conditions is expected as this scenario will continue for centuries, according to the UN World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
A proof is the rising levels of ocean temperatures and the extreme weather events, Michel Jarraud, UN weather agency chief, said early this week.
"There is no standstill in global warming," Jarraud added.
"The warming of our oceans has accelerated, and at lower depths. More than 90 per cent of the excess energy trapped by greenhouse gases is stored in the oceans."
He noted Typhoon Haiyan that tragically devastated the Philippines as an example.
"We saw heavier precipitation, more intense heat, and more damage from storm surges and coastal flooding as a result of sea level rise," he claimed.
Presenting the WMO's annual review of the world's climate, Jarraud said 2013 tied with 2007 as the sixth hottest year since recording of annual figures began in 1850.
"Levels of these greenhouse gases are at a record, meaning that our atmosphere and oceans will continue to warm for centuries to come. The laws of physics are non-negotiable," Jarraud told a news conference.
Many of the extreme events of 2013 were consistent with what we would expect as a result of human-induced climate change, he pointed out.
In 2013, it was found that global land and sea surface temperature was 14.5 degrees Celsius (58.1 Fahrenheit), or 0.50C (0.90F) above the 1961-90 average.
It was likewise 0.03C (0.05F) up on the average for 2001-10.