UN reports ‘off the charts’ melting of glaciers

Introduction:

• The United Nations (UN) reported on Friday that the world’s glaciers melted at dramatic speed last year.
• Climate change indicators have once again hit record highs.

Melting glaciers:

• The UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) launched its annual climate overview report and stated that the melting of some European glaciers was “off the charts.”
• The report also revealed that Antarctic sea ice fell to its lowest extent on record.

Climate change indicators:

• The last eight years have been the warmest ever recorded.
• Concentrations of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide hit new peaks.
• Record high temperatures were recorded in the oceans, where around 90% of the heat trapped on Earth by greenhouse gases ends up.

Sea levels:

• Sea levels are at a record high, having risen by an average of 4.62 millimetres per year between 2013 and 2022.
• This rate is double the rate it was between 1993 and 2002.

Paris Agreement:

• The 2015 Paris Agreement saw countries agree to cap global warming at “well below” two degrees Celsius above average levels measured between 1850 and 1900.
• The agreement also aimed for a limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius if possible.

Conclusion:

• The UN’s report highlights the urgent need for action to address climate change and its impacts on the planet.