2015 'hottest on record' - until next year: UN

This year will be the hottest on record and next year could be even hotter due to a strong El Nino season and global warming.

2015 'hottest on record' - until next year: UN2015 'hottest on record' - until next year: UN

2015 'hottest on record' - until next year: UN

That's the forecast from the UN's weather agency, the World Meteorological Organisation.

It's warning that doing nothing about climate change could see global average temperatures rise by 6 degrees Celsius - or more.

The World Meteorological Organisation says temperatures have now risen one degree Celsius since the industrial revolution, with two degrees considered the limit to avoid dangerous climate change.

WMO secretary-general Michel Jarraud says this increase is record-breaking.

 

"2015 will be the warmest year on record since we have records. This is of great concern. Whatever CO2 has been emitted in the atmosphere stays there for a very long time, for decades to centuries. So time is really not on our side."

 

The UN agency's latest provisional report is warning that inaction on climate change could see global temperatures rise by six degrees celsius or more.

A global climate summit is due to start in Paris on Monday 30 November attended by more than 145 world leaders.

The WMO says it's still possible for an agreement to be reached that could keep temperatures down to a target set in 2010 to try and prevent a dramatic increase in extreme weather.

European Climate and energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete says a long-term goal is needed.

 

"The long-term goal is very clear: We have to make operational the two degrees centigrade in the protocol, because now the two degrees are not in the protocol, they are in a declaration in Cancun. And we must enshrine it as a global binding objective for all the parties of the convention."

 

The agency says the global average sea-surface temperature, which set a record last year, is also likely to be met or beaten this year - although there are some notable cold spots, like around the Antarctic.

International Panel on Climate Change vice chairman Dr Youba Sokona says temperature increases overall need urgent attention, because the costs worldwide to control the problem are rising too.

 

"For instance they said that they want the two degree target by the end of the century. And clearly what came up with the IPCC report, if that is the case, stringent and urgent actions are needed. And then if we delay the action, it will be much difficult for us to reach that degree. And then starting now, that will require by the middle of the century, at least 40 to 70 per cent reduction of the emissions. And then toward the end of the century, zero emission, that means we completely decarbonise our energy systems, or negative emissions. And so those are the findings. And that means the urgency of the action caused more weight, the more it will be difficult, and then the cost will be higher."

 

While there's no single solution to stop climate change, the WMO says a strong deal in Paris is needed, and global citizens need to choose public transport over driving and to insulate their homes, while industry must tackle the sources of greenhouse emissions.

 






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