Daily Current Affairs : 7-December-2023
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) recently released a report highlighting the accelerating impacts of climate change over the past decade. This essay delves into key insights from the report and outlines WMO’s strategies for integrating climate action and development.
Insights from the Climate Report
Record-Breaking Temperatures:
- The years 2011-2020 witnessed unprecedented high-temperature records.
- Global temperatures surged to 1.1 degrees Celsius above late 19th-century levels.
- 2016 and 2020, exacerbated by El Niño, were the hottest years recorded.
Greenhouse Gases Surge:
- Greenhouse gas concentrations, primarily CO2, reached 413.2 ppm in 2020 due to human activities.
Oceans Under Stress:
- Oceans warmed significantly, affecting marine life.
- Increased CO2 levels led to ocean acidification, impacting marine structures.
Marine and Glacial Changes:
- Frequent and severe marine heatwaves affected 60% of the ocean’s surface.
- Rising sea levels at 4.5mm annually, a result of melting ice and ocean warming.
Ice Loss:
- Glaciers experienced an annual thickness reduction of approximately 1 meter.
- Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets contributed to a 38% increase in sea-level rise.
Polar Shifts:
- Arctic sea ice continued to shrink, especially during summer seasons.
Ozone Layer Recovery:
- Positive signs in Antarctic ozone hole recovery, attributed to the Montreal Protocol.
Socioeconomic Impacts:
- Extreme weather events challenged Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), affecting food security and economic stability.
- Despite improved early warning systems, financial damages from extreme events rose.
- No extreme events caused over 10,000 deaths, a positive first since 1950.
WMO’s Strategies for Integrating Climate Action and Development
Boosting Resilience Collaboratively:
- Foster partnerships with international bodies to enhance global resilience.
Enhancing Tripartite Interactions:
- Improve interaction between science, policy, and society for impactful actions.
Capacity Building and Collaboration:
- Support institutional capabilities and promote cooperation, with a focus on aiding the global South.
Policy Synergy and Coordination:
- Promote consistent and coordinated policy efforts across sectors for aligned climate and development goals.
World Meteorological Organisation (WMO)
Background:
- WMO, a specialized UN agency, addresses meteorology, climate, and geophysical sciences.
- Originating in 1873 as the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), it officially became WMO in 1950.
Headquarters and Membership:
- Based in Geneva, Switzerland, WMO boasts a membership of 193 countries and territories.
- Membership reflects global acknowledgment of the importance of international cooperation in meteorology and climate.
Governance Structure:
- The World Meteorological Congress, Executive Council, Technical Commissions, Regional Associations, and Secretariat collectively form the governance structure.
- These bodies contribute to policy-making, decision-making, and day-to-day operations.
Important Points:
Insights from the Climate Report:
- Record-Breaking Temperatures:
- 2011-2020 set new high-temperature records globally.
- Average global temperatures rose by 1.1 degrees Celsius.
- 2016 and 2020 were notably the hottest years, amplified by El Niño.
- Greenhouse Gases Surge:
- Greenhouse gas concentrations, especially CO2, reached 413.2 ppm in 2020.
- Human activities primarily contributed to this surge.
- Oceans Under Stress:
- Oceans experienced significant warming, impacting marine life.
- CO2 increase led to ocean acidification, affecting marine structures.
- Marine and Glacial Changes:
- Frequent and severe marine heatwaves affected 60% of the ocean’s surface.
- Annual sea level rise accelerated to 4.5mm due to melting ice.
- Ice Loss:
- Glaciers witnessed an average annual thickness reduction of about 1 meter.
- Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets contributed to a 38% increase in sea-level rise.
- Polar Shifts:
- Arctic sea ice continued to shrink, particularly during summer seasons.
- Ozone Layer Recovery:
- Positive signs in Antarctic ozone hole recovery, credited to the Montreal Protocol.
- Socioeconomic Impacts:
- Extreme weather events challenged Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Improved early warning systems, but financial damages rose.
- No extreme events caused over 10,000 deaths, a positive shift since 1950.
WMO’s Strategies for Integrating Climate Action and Development:
- Boosting Resilience Collaboratively:
- Foster partnerships with international bodies for enhanced global resilience.
- Enhancing Tripartite Interactions:
- Improve interaction between science, policy, and society for impactful actions.
- Capacity Building and Collaboration:
- Support institutional capabilities and encourage cooperation, particularly in the global South.
- Policy Synergy and Coordination:
- Promote consistent and coordinated policy efforts across sectors for aligned climate and development goals.
World Meteorological Organisation (WMO):
- Background:
- WMO, a specialized UN agency, addresses meteorology, climate, and geophysical sciences.
- Originating in 1873 as the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), it officially became WMO in 1950.
- Headquarters and Membership:
- Based in Geneva, Switzerland, WMO has 193 member countries and territories.
- Membership reflects global acknowledgment of the importance of international cooperation in meteorology and climate.
- Governance Structure:
- The World Meteorological Congress, Executive Council, Technical Commissions, Regional Associations, and Secretariat form the governance structure.
- These bodies contribute to policy-making, decision-making, and day-to-day operations.
Why In News
Recently, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has published a report titled “The Global Climate 2011-2020: A Decade of Acceleration,” concerning the alarming acceleration of climate change and its multifaceted impacts across the planet. The report underscores the urgent need for global collaboration and immediate action to mitigate the escalating environmental challenges we face.
MCQs about WMO’s Climate Report
-
What was the global temperature rise during the years 2011-2020 according to the WMO’s Climate Report?
A. 0.5 degrees Celsius
B. 1.1 degrees Celsius
C. 2.0 degrees Celsius
D. No significant change
-
Which protocol is credited with the positive signs of recovery in the Antarctic ozone hole?
A. Kyoto Protocol
B. Paris Agreement
C. Montreal Protocol
D. Copenhagen Accord
-
What is the primary focus of WMO’s strategy for integrating climate action and development regarding collaboration with international bodies?
A. Economic growth
B. Political stability
C. Global resilience
D. Technological innovation
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