The Global Climate 2011-2020: A Decade Of Acceleration
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has published a report titled- The Global Climate 2011-2020: A Decade of Acceleration, concerning the alarming acceleration of climate change and its multifaceted impacts across the planet.
Highlights of the Report:
- The decade 2011-2020 emerged as the warmest on record for both land and ocean.
- Global mean temperature soared to 1.10 ± 0.12 °C above the 1850-1900 average, with each decade since the 1990s surpassing previous ones in warmth.
- Record high temperatures were reported in numerous countries, with 2016 (due to an El Niño event) and 2020 standing out as the warmest year.
- Atmospheric concentrations of major greenhouse gases (GHG) continued to rise, especially CO2, reaching 413.2 ppm in 2020, primarily due to fossil fuel combustion and land-use changes.
- The decade witnessed an increase in average growth rates of CO2, highlighting the pressing need for sustainable emissions reduction to stabilize the climate.
- Ocean warming rates accelerated significantly, with 90% of accumulated heat stored in the ocean. Warming rates doubled in the upper 2000m depth from 2006-2020, impacting marine ecosystems.
- Ocean acidification due to CO2 absorption posed challenges for marine organisms, affecting their shell and skeleton formation.
- Marine Heatwaves increased in frequency and intensity, affecting about 60% of the ocean’s surface between 2011 and 2020.
- Global mean sea level rise accelerated to 4.5mm/yr from 2011-2020, mainly due to ocean warming and ice mass loss.
- Glaciers globally thinned by about 1 meter/year between 2011 and 2020, with unprecedented mass loss, affecting water supplies.
- Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets lost 38% more ice compared to 2001-2010, contributing significantly to rising sea levels.
- Arctic sea ice continued its decline during the summer melt season, with a mean seasonal minimum extent 30% below the 1981-2010 average.
- The Antarctic ozone hole diminished in the 2011-2020 period, credited to successful international action under the Montreal Protocol.
- Efforts led to reduced chlorine entering the stratosphere from ozone-depleting substances.
- Extreme weather events hindered progress toward SDGs, impacting food security, human mobility, and socioeconomic development.
- Improved early warning systems reduced casualties but economic losses from extreme events escalated.
- The 2011-2020 decade was the first since 1950 when there was not a single short-term event with 10,000 deaths or more.
