Residents look out at a smoking lake in British Columbia, Canada, in August. Canada has battled several wildfires this summer due to drought and high temperatures. The world has experienced many extreme weather events in the past year, including droughts, floods, extreme heat waves and forest fires, according to the WMO. Photo: Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press / AP / NTB
The past year has broken a number of climate records and is expected to be the hottest year yet, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Based on figures from January to the end of October, it is likely that 2023 will break global heat records, the UN agency said, saying extreme weather has left devastation and despair across the world throughout the year.
– This is a deafening cacophony of records, said WMO chief Petteri Taalas.
– Greenhouse gases are at record highs. Global temperatures are at record highs. Sea levels have risen at record levels. Sea ice in Antarctica is at a record low.
The WMO published its initial report on climate this year when the UN climate summit took place in Dubai on Thursday.
UN Secretary General António Guterres said the findings should send shivers down the spine of all world leaders
Boats lie along a dry canal in Puno, Peru. Picture taken on November 28. Photo: Martin Mejia / AP / NTB
“Hardcore zombie fan. Incurable internet advocate. Subtly charming problem solver. Freelance twitter ninja.”