The past eight years have been the warmest in the world on record. This is evidenced by the results of measurements of six leading international temperature databases, united by the World Meteorological Organization.
The average global temperature in 2022 was about 1.15°C above pre-industrial (1850-1900) levels. 2022 is the eighth year in a row that annual global temperatures have been at least one degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The likelihood that the 1.5°C limit set by the Paris Agreement will be exceeded has increased even more.
Thanks to the climate impact of the La Niña cooling event, 2022 was not the warmest year on record, but «only» fifth or sixth on the list. However, experts say the cooling effect will be short-lived and will not reverse the long-term warming trend driven by record levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
“In 2022, we faced a series of dramatic weather events that claimed many lives, deprived millions of livelihoods, undermined food and energy security, and destroyed infrastructure,” said WMO Secretary-General Professor Petteri Taalas. — Vast areas of Pakistan were flooded, resulting in loss of life and major economic losses. China, Europe, North, and South America experienced record-breaking heat waves. A prolonged drought in the Horn of Africa threatens a humanitarian catastrophe.”
Global warming and other long-term climate change trends are expected to continue due to record levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.