29 November 2018: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has released a provisional version of the ‘WMO Statement on the State of the Global Climate 2018,’ which points to a continued long-term warming trend, with the average global temperature for the year set to be the fourth highest on record.

The provisional statement, which details the impacts of climate change based on contributions from a range of UN partners, explains that 20 of the warmest years on record have occurred in the past 22 years, and the top four in the past four years. The statement paints a picture of continued sea level rise, ocean acidification, and sea ice and glacier melt, among others. WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas said that if current trends continue, temperatures may increase by 3-5°C by the end of the century.

If current trends continue, temperatures may increase by 3-5°C by the end of the century.

The statement looks at trends related to, inter alia: temperature; emissions; oceans; sea ice; and extreme weather and related events, such as tropical storms, floods and rainfall, heatwaves and drought, and wildfires. It details the impacts of climate change on agriculture and food security, migration and refugees, and the environment and oceans, among other areas. Data from five global temperature monitors formed the basis of the report.

The WMO is also enhancing the translation of science into services to support countries in generating national climate scenarios and predictions and developing tailored climate services to reduce risks associated with climate change and extreme weather, and developing integrated tools to monitor and manage emissions and carbon sinks.

The WMO statement will contribute to the scientific evidence that is expected to inform the UN Climate Change Conference taking place in Katowice, Poland, from 2-14 December 2018. The conference is expected to adopt implementation guidelines for the Paris Agreement on climate change. The final version of the ‘WMO Statement on the State of the Global Climate 2018’ will be released in March 2019. [WMO Provisional Statement on the State of the Global Climate 2018] [WMO Press Release] [UN Press Release] [State of the Global Climate Webpage]