This week, the United Nations' World Meteorological Organization released yet another dire report on the planet's state. Four of the seven main climate indicators, which are key parameters that provide information on climate change, set alarming new records in 2021.
According to the WMO, this is "clear evidence" that humans are having "harmful, long-lasting" impacts on the planet. The report revealed that ocean acidification, sea level rise and greenhouse gas concentrations all set new records in the last year. It was also revealed that the last seven years were the warmest on record.
Antonio Guterres, U.N. Secretary General, stated that the records were alarming and that they show a "dismal litany" of human failures to address climate disruption.
"I will tell you the bottom line: The global energy system is in crisis and leading to climate disaster. He said that fossil fuels were a dead end both economically and environmentally. "... A renewable future is the only way to a sustainable future."
Greenhouse gas concentrations, sea-level rise, ocean heat levels and acidification, all set new records in 2021, while some glaciers reached the point of no return, according to the latest flagship report from @WMO Renewable energy is our 'lifeline'.https://t.co/bf0O7brIQ7
These are the new indicators and their meaning as humanity fights the climate crisis.
Global warming and climate change are largely caused by greenhouse gas emissions. The most powerful of these gases is carbon dioxide. It is released into the atmosphere mainly through the burning of oil, natural gas and coal. To limit global warming, greenhouse gases create a thick barrier in our atmosphere.
These gases hit new heights in 2020. The latest report shows that the concentrations of three gases, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and atmospheric methane, continued to rise in 2021. Scientists are particularly concerned about atmospheric methane which is the second largest contributor to global warming.
NOAA scientists reported last month that this gas experienced a 17 part per billion increase in 2021. This is the largest annual increase since 1983 when they began measuring it. It was also 162% higher than preindustrial levels.
WMO released a report last summer that showed cutting human-caused carbon dioxide by 45% by 2030 would have an important impact on global warming. It would also keep it below 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to preindustrial levels. Researchers estimated that this would prevent nearly 0.3degC warming by 2040s and prevent 255,000 premature deaths and 775,00 asthma-related hospitalizations. It also would reduce global crop losses of 26 million tons and prevent 255,000 premature death.
A higher level of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere can lead to more carbon dioxide in our oceans, which can have devastating consequences for global systems. According to the WMO report, 90% of Earth's heat is stored in the ocean. As the planet warms, the ocean also warms.
The ocean heat reached a new record in 2021.
Particularly the top 2,000m of oceans were found to have warmed in the last year. Scientists predict that this trend will continue, stating that it is an irreversible change on a centennial- to millennial timescale.
This heat can have a cascading impact, contributing to sea-level rise, marine heat waves and coral bleaching. It also threatens marine ecosystems and fisheries as well as the ability to live close to coastlines.
Sea level rose at an average rate of 4.5 meters per year in 2021 due to a warmer ocean. Scientists claim that the sea level rise is more than twice the rate of the seven year period 1993-2002. This was mainly due to rapid melting of seaice.
Scientists said that the rise has occurred almost everywhere in the globe since 1993. However, the distribution is not equal. A rate of rise that is "substantially faster than the global average has affected many regions, including the Southwest Pacific, Southwest Pacific and North Pacific.
Scientists at WMO stated that this has significant implications for coastal dwellers, numbering in the hundreds of millions, and increases their vulnerability to tropical storms.
Since 1880, ocean levels have risen by 8 to 9 inches. NOAA scientists believe that this rate is only increasing. The WMO's average rate is much higher than that reported by most of the 20th Century, which was 3.6mm per year between 2006 and 2015.
NOAA projects that by 2100, the average rise of the contiguous United States could be more than 7 feet, based on an increasing output of greenhouse gases and rapid sea-ice melt.
The ocean absorbs almost a quarter the carbon dioxide emissions that humans produce annually. This slows down the growth of the greenhouse gas, but has a negative effect on the ocean. According to the most recent report, the ocean has become more acidic in the last 26,000 years.
The ocean becomes more acidic, making it more difficult to absorb carbon dioxide. This can lead to rapid global warming.
Globally, acidification has a devastating effect on billions of people who depend on the ocean for their food, water, and protection. Acidification causes water pH levels to drop, which can weaken corals and cause corrosive conditions that could affect marine life. This threatens marine ecosystems, which impacts roughly 20% of the world's population. It also affects tourism and coastal protection against rising seas.
Guterres reiterated that the world must abandon fossil fuels and accelerate the transition towards renewable energy, "before we incinerate the only home we have."
He said, "We don’t have a second to lose." "... Time is running out."
Gutteres stated that the task of transforming the world's energy system is "low-hanging fruit" because many technologies, such as wind and solar are already available and much cheaper than using coal or other fossil fuels.
@antonioguterres said that fossil fuels are dead ends. And transforming energy systems is low-hanging fruit.More #StateOfClimate https://t.co/SR7bhQo3YQ pic.twitter.com/uMbKDPamOB
On Wednesday, he proposed five "critical" actions that could be taken to make renewable energy more accessible to all. He also suggested improving global access to components and raw materials for renewable energy. He also recommended reforming domestic policy to streamline renewable power projects. He also suggested that the world invest at least $4 trillion annually in renewable energy by 2030.
Petteri Taalas, chief of WMO, stated in a statement that it was only a matter "of time" before the world is faced with yet another grim record due to climate change.
"Our climate is rapidly changing." He warned that the heat trapped in human-induced greenhouse gases will continue to warm the planet for many more generations. "Sea level rise and ocean heat will continue for hundreds years unless there are ways to remove carbon from our atmosphere."
