Following confirmation in recent months from the Wmo, American scientists now confirm the trend: “temperatures are reaching levels that could threaten our civilisation”.
2016 breaks yet another record: it is the hottest year ever recorded since temperatures began to be measured, that is, since 1880. Not only that, following the records set in 2014 and 2015, this year stands as the third consecutive year in which an increase in average global temperatures has been recorded. The year just gone exceeded the average for the period from 1880 to 2015 by 0.87 degrees centigrade, and by 1.1 degrees centigrade compared to the 19th-century average, that is, compared to pre-industrial levels.
"2016 is the Earth's hottest year – writes Noaa (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) – closing out a three-year streak of record warmth. The average global temperature above the land and ocean surface was the highest since record-keeping began in 1880." Both land and ocean average temperatures recorded in December 2016 are the highest in 137 years. Scientists at the space agency (Nasa) and the federal agency warn: "Temperatures are reaching levels that could threaten our civilisation."
The first comments are also coming in from the annual World Economic Forum meeting under way in Davos. "Given that throughout 2016 CO2 levels were for the first time (after millions of years!) above 400 ppm, extreme global warming is certainly no surprise," said Professor Konrad Steffen, an expert on Arctic ice attending Davos with the Arctic Basecamp initiative.
Professor Gail Whiteman says: "Leaders need to know that change in the Arctic is the most visible sign of ongoing global warming. The global risks to the industrial world, to insurance and to agriculture will directly affect our way of life," commented Professor Gail Whiteman.
All of this as Trump is about to take up residence in the White House, having declared his intention to dismantle the climate policies put in place by Obama.
