According to a recent report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the year 2022 saw record-breaking heat waves leading to upwards of 15,000 deaths across Europe. In the hottest continent in the world, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Portugal were some of the most affected countries.
The 2022 WMO State of the Global Climate report also calculated the global mean temperature of the year at 1.15 (1.02-1.28) °C above the average for the years 1850-1900. Consequently, the years 2015-2022 were the eight warmest on record, making 2022 the 5th-6th warmest year. This was despite the La Nina cooling effect that occurred three consecutive times over the span of 50 years.
The report also included information on land and marine heatwaves, changing patterns of precipitation, retreating ice and snow, and rising sea levels. It is obvious that the dramatic increase in the global temperature has led to disastrous consequences, including drought, floods and other extreme weather events. For example, East Africa faced continuous drought during 2022, Pakistan experienced record-breaking rain and heavy flooding, while China and Europe experienced record-breaking heat waves. These disasters cost billions of dollars and have taken a toll on the mental and physical health of people across the world.
With the Earth Day 2023 fast approaching, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urges for a call to action and deep emissions cuts so the global temperature can maintain an increase of just 1.5 degrees Celsius. There needs to be a massive scale-up of investments into resilience and adaptation, especially for vulnerable countries and communities who contribute least to the climate crisis.
To conclude, WMO’s State of the Global Climate Report reiterates the importance of taking action to mitigate climate change and its impacts. As the average temperature continues to rise, it is essential to be mindful of the disproportionate effects it has on vulnerable populations such as women, children, the elderly, the marginalized, and the poor.
